Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa is set to play his domestic cricket for Queensland during the 2026-27 season, marking a fresh chapter in his domestic career. However, his availability for the Brisbane Heat in the upcoming Big Bash League (BBL) remains uncertain as the competition continues to operate under a contracting embargo while finalising its player contracting rules for the new season.
Zampa, who holds a Cricket Australia (CA) central contract, has had limited appearances in domestic cricket in recent years due to Australia's packed international calendar and his commitments in franchise leagues around the world. His availability became a point of contention during his time with New South Wales (NSW), where he returned in 2020 after spending seven seasons with South Australia.
The 34-year-old last featured in a Sheffield Shield match for NSW in 2024, a selection that sparked debate within the state setup. NSW selector Stuart Clark claimed that Cricket Australia had pushed for Zampa's inclusion despite reservations from the state selectors, while current head coach Brad Haddin also questioned the decision. Zampa's most recent List A appearance for NSW came in the 2025 One-Day Cup, where he was praised for stepping aside in subsequent matches to allow young leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha more opportunities.
Under Cricket Australia regulations, centrally contracted players are permitted to switch states with CA's approval. Zampa's move follows a similar path taken by Jake Weatherald, who transferred from Tasmania to South Australia earlier this year.
Despite joining Queensland, Zampa's availability at the start of the domestic season is likely to be limited. Australia's ODI tour of South Africa and Zimbabwe in September overlaps with the opening rounds of the domestic competitions, while a white-ball series against England in November could further reduce his appearances.
His BBL future is also yet to be determined. Zampa is currently without a contract for the 2026-27 season, having previously represented the Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Strikers, and Sydney Thunder. If granted a No Objection Certificate (NOC), he could also feature in the SA20 after the BBL, which may rule him out of the latter stages of the One-Day Cup.
Meanwhile, the BBL is expected to scrap its overseas player draft from the 2026-27 season. The proposed change would allow franchises to allocate a greater portion of their salary cap towards retaining and recruiting local talent, following widespread concerns among Australian players over the league's existing pay structure.
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