Adam Zampa joins Jamaica Tallahwahs after ending T20 Blast stint early

The much anticipated Carrebian Premier League (CPL) started on Wednesday and superstars such as Chris Gayle and Dwayne Bravo have already made impacts in the first two games. 26-year-old Australian leggie Adam Zampa is the latest recruitment, joining high profile compatriots David Warner, Steve Smith and Glenn Maxwell, as he was granted permission by his county club Essex to leave early.

Zampa has been offered a contract by Chris Gayle‘s former team Jamaica Tallahwahs that is yet to play their first game in the tournament. The young spinner, whose action is eerily similar to Shane Warne, has featured irregularly for the Australian team in the limited-overs formats warding off competition from Fawad Ahmed, Ashton Agar and Nathan Lyon.

He was quick to establish himself as a prolific T20 bowler, picking up a 6-wicket haul in the 2017 IPL season,  featuring for Rising Pune Supergiant and being their highest wicket-taker in the process playing less than half of their matches.

Enjoyed playing for Essex

Zampa’s overall T20 record is amicable, as he has almost 100 wickets to his credit with an economy rate of 7.15 and an average of just under 21. He played for Essex Eagles in the English T20 Blast before the club granted him permission to leave early and join the Jamaican franchise. He took 12 wickets in 10 matches at an economy of 7.9 at the Blast.

His exploits, although decent, have not been able to help Essex get out of the rut, as they find themselves languishing at the bottom of the table in the South Division with just 1 win from 10 matches. With the club already eliminated from the competition, head coach Anthony McGrath conceded to Zampa’s desire to get addition T20 experience in West Indies with an arguably better pool of players.

Adam Zampa said: “I’ve thoroughly enjoyed my spell at Essex, and although we haven’t managed to get the results on the pitch, playing in front of the Chelmsford crowd was very special. I’m grateful to the Club for allowing me to play in the Caribbean Premier League when the opportunity came along and I would love to pull on an Essex shirt again.”

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