Vitality Blast champions Essex have re-signed Australia legspinner Adam Zampa for their 2020 campaign. Zampa will return for his third consecutive season at Chelmsford.
Although Zampa missed 2019 Finals Day, having already gone back to Australia for the start of the domestic season, he was Essex's leading wicket-taker during the group stage, taking 12 wickets in as many games with an economy of 8.06. Essex hope to have him available for the duration of their defence, should they progress to the knockout rounds.
"I'm really looking forward to getting back to Chelmsford and playing in front of that great crowd again," Zampa said. "I've played there for the last two years now and Essex is a great club to play for. I get on really well with all the lads in the changing room and I feel at home there.
"Last year was amazing. We didn't start too well but once we got on a roll we were unstoppable. Not many people would have had us down to win it, but we knew what we were capable of, and hopefully we can repeat that in 2020."
Zampa has been a regular in white-ball cricket for Australia over recent seasons, and next summer will likely form part of his build-up towards the T20 World Cup. He is currently playing for Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash League, and has also featured at the IPL and the Caribbean Premier League.
Essex's head coach, Anthony McGrath, said: "We all know just how talented Adam is as we've seen it the last two summers. He's one of the best legspinners around at the moment.
"He's been excellent for us the last couple of seasons and he's a great guy to have around the dressing room, so I'm delighted he's going to be back with us."