Renshaw re-signs, Heat chase overseas player

Test opener Matthew Renshaw will continue to develop his power game this summer after re-signing with the Brisbane Heat, as the club launches a rejuvenated push to find another international player.

Renshaw, on the mend from the broken finger he suffered during a successful UK county stint with Somerset, will again turn out for the Heat having made his KFC Big Bash League debut last summer.

But in a blow for the club, Brisbane will not have the services of star teenager Shadab Khan for BBL|08 after coming to an agreement to terminate the second year of his contract due to the leg-spinner’s increased playing commitments with Pakistan. 

It means the Heat are on the hunt for a second overseas signing to feature alongside captain, New Zealander Brendon McCullum.

Brisbane could turn to another Pakistan wrist-spinner in Yasir Shah, who played seven games for the Heat as Shadab’s replacement last season, while the likes of Morne Morkel, Ben Stokes, AB de Villiers, Jos Buttler and Sunil Narine could all be up for grabs.

Renshaw's signing and Shadab's omission leaves the Heat with four more spots on their roster for BBL|08 to fill, having already announced the signing of recovering Test quick James Pattinson from the Melbourne Renegades.

While Renshaw only played the one game for the Heat last summer, he credited his time training with the side as a major benefit to his T20 game. 

"I got to train alongside players like Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn and see how they went about preparing themselves, and the type of skills they emphasised," said Renshaw.

"It was a different training environment for me and an enjoyable change in terms of the batting skills required, which I had the chance to try out in Premier Cricket with my club Toombul in that window."

Renshaw remains a month away from picking up a bat, the Heat said in a statement, after breaking the top joint of his left index finger while playing for Somerset. 

The 22-year-old's next playing assignment is Australia A's tour of India beginning August 17, with Renshaw included in squads for both the one-day and four-day legs of the trip.

He looms as a likely inclusion for Australia's ensuing Test series against Pakistan in the UAE, having earned a recall for the final match of the ill-fated South Africa tour earlier this year.

Brisbane Heat BBL|08 squad (so far): Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Marnus Labuschagne, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (OS), James Pattinson, James Peirson, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson.

In: James Pattinson (Renegades)

Out: Shadab Khan

Unsigned from BBL|07: Jason Floros, Cameron Gannon, Josh Lalor, Cameron Valente