Essex have signed Australian International leg-spinner Adam Zampa for the the 2018 T20 Blast.

The 25-year-old will join the Eagles from July 1 and will be available for Finals Day on 15 September, should Essex progress.

Zampa has played in 29 ODIs and 12 T20 Internationals for Australia, and represented franchises around the world including Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash and Rising Pune Supergiants in the IPL.

And Head Coach McGrath is thrilled to add Zampa to the ranks,

"I have been keeping tabs on Adam for a while. He has the ability to spin the ball both ways and that mystery in the middle overs is something that we have been missing from our T20 side.

"Adam has done excellently in the Big Bash and IPL, and has also featured regularly in white-ball cricket for Australia, so we know we are bringing in someone of International quality.

"We have done our homework and leg-spin makes a real difference in T20 cricket around the world, but you don’t want to just bring in any leg-spinner.

"Adam is one of the best around at the moment and it is another outstanding signing for the club.”

And new man Zampa is equally excited to be heading to England for the T20 Blast.

“I’ve always wanted to play County cricket and I’m looking forward to the opportunity to improve my skills in English conditions.

"I have heard great things about the Chelmsford crowd, and can't wait to represent the Eagles in the T20 Blast."

The news comes just a day after Essex confirmed fast bowler Peter Siddle would play for the first five County Championship games of the new season.