Big Bash: Adam Zampa, Sam Harper complete BBL rivals switch

Melbourne Stars have handed over star leg spinner Adam Zampa to arch rivals Melbourne Renegades in the first completed trade of the BBL player movement window.

Wicketkeeper Sam Harper will cross to the Stars for his second stint at the club in exchange for Zampa, with the Stars claiming the aggressive move will free up cash to help them secure some big-name targets.

Zampa, 31, had acted as Stars captain last year in the absence of the injured Glenn Maxwell and had signed a two-year contract extension before the start of last season.

His infamous Mankad run-out attempt on Renegades batter and new teammate Tom Rogers in January will add intrigue to the move after it led to a number of heated altercations between the international star and Renegades players.

Melbourne Stars boss Blair Crouch said the trade, which was first mooted in February, had helped the club sign Test bowler and BBL free agent Scott Boland to a three-year deal last week.

Crouch said the Stars were grateful to Zampa for his time at the club in which he yielded 98 wickets over eight seasons and was named player of the tournament in 2020-21.

“This trade has allowed the club to sign a number of quality players, as we saw with Scott Boland last week, and we’re looking forward to announcing more of those signings in the coming weeks,” Crouch said.

“We’re thrilled to be able to secure the services of Sam, who is an outstanding person and we’re looking forward to seeing him behind the stumps in BBL13.

“Last year Sam also showed he is a more than capable with the bat and was the Renegades second highest run scorer behind Aaron Finch.”

Harper made his competition debut for the Stars in the 2016-17 season before crossing to the Renegades for the last five seasons, impressing last year with 264 runs at a strike rate of 141.87.

Harper said playing more on the MCG had played a big role in his desire to cross to the Stars.

“I’d like to thank the Renegades for the past five seasons, but it feels like I’ve come full circle having made my BBL debut for the Stars,” he said.

“I can’t wait for BBL13 and have pencilled in the derby on the calendar already.”

Meanwhile the Hobart Hurricanes have secured Australian T20 star Tim David on a multi-year contract, keeping him in purple for another three seasons.

David earnt his Australian call-up as a result of his Big Bash heroics, having never played first class cricket before taking part in last year’s T20 World Cup.

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