Heat check: Brisbane's history of Big Bash imports

Another Big Bash Draft is almost upon us as the league's eight clubs ramp up their preparations for KFC BBL|14 by adding at least two overseas players to their list for the coming season.

From BBL|14 onwards, clubs have also been able to sign an overseas player pre-draft to a multi-year contract, with Brisbane Heat securing the return of Kiwi blaster Colin Munro for this summer.

After 13 seasons of BBL, we're looking back, club-by-club, at every import that has turned out in the Big Bash, memorable or otherwise.

Adelaide Strikers | Brisbane Heat | Hobart Hurricanes | Melbourne Renegades | Melbourne Stars | Perth Scorchers | Sydney Sixers | Sydney Thunder

History of overseas signings

BBL|01: Brendon McCullum, Daniel Vettori, Roelof van der Merwe

 

BBL|02: Thisara Perera, Kemar Roach

 

BBL|03: Craig Kieswetter, Dan Vettori

 

BBL|04: Andrew Flintoff, Dan Vettori

 

BBL|05: Lendl Simmons, Samuel Badree

 

BBL|06: Brendon McCullum, Samuel Badree, Tymal Mills

 

BBL|07: Brendon McCullum, Yasir Shah, Shadab Khan

 

BBL|08: Brendon McCullum, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

 

BBL|09: AB de Villiers, Tom Banton, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Zahir Khan

 

BBL|10: Lewis Gregory, Joe Denly, Dan Lawrence, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

 

BBL|11: Ben Duckett, Tom Abell, Fakhar Zaman, Mujeeb Ur Rahman

 

BBL|12: Sam Billings, Sam Hain, Colin Munro, Ross Whiteley

 

BBL|13: Sam Billings, Colin Munro, Paul Walter

 

BBL|14: Colin Munro

The players (sorted by matches played)

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan)

Seasons: BBL|08 - BBL|11

 

M: 37 | Wkts: 37 | BBI: 5-15 | Ave: 24.21 | Econ: 6.20

The Heat import with the most appearances, Mujeeb has given Brisbane excellent service since joining as a 17-year-old back in 2018 as the tournament's youngest player and with barely a word of English in his vocabulary. He went wicketless on his BBL debut but set a Big Bash record for a 9th wicket partnership of 60 with Jimmy Peirson, of which he contributed 27. His best bowling was his 5-15 against Hobart in BBL|10 – the fourth-best return in the league's history – but it went in vain as a dramatic last ball run out saw Brisbane lose. The introduction of the overseas player draft for BBL|12 saw Mujeeb poached by the Renegades where he became one half of a valuable spin pairing with West Indies' Akeal Hosein that helped lift the club into finals after three years at the bottom of the table.

Brendon McCullum (New Zealand)

Seasons: BBL|01, BBL|06 – BBL|08

 

M: 35 | Runs: 920 | HS: 72 | SR: 136.50 | Ave: 27.87 | 50s: 9

Brendon McCullum's first foray with the Heat in BBL|01 saw Brett Lee break his nose with a bouncer in his second over. Normally that would be season over but McCullum, the tough nut he is, returned a few overs later. He mixed Heat games with playing for Otago in that first summer, but his second foray between 2016-19 cemented him as a club legend. A brilliant tactician, ferocious opener, but calm personality, he did a lot to mould the Heat's character and culture, which still permeates. His 'Bash Brothers' partnership with Chris Lynn made the Heat must-watch television and saw the League's popularity soar to new heights. But although the highlights were plentiful, silverware was not, losing in the semi-final in McCullum's first season in charge, and missing the knockout stages in the next two.

Daniel Vettori (New Zealand)

Seasons: BBL|01, BBL|03 – BBL|04

 

M: 15 | Runs: 74 | HS: 40 | SR: 119.35 | Ave: 14.80

 

Wkts: 10 | BBI: 2-10 | Ave: 42.40 | Econ: 7.31

The New Zealand legend was the club's player of the season in BBL|03 before turning to coaching following his retirement the following summer. However, he had overseen just 18 wins from 49 games as coach before he left at the end of the 2018-19 summer ahead of a full-scale review of the Heat by Queensland Cricket. A foundation player for the Heat, he played just three games in BBL|01, flying back to New Zealand for games in between, before playing a full role in BBL|03 with seven wickets and an economy of 6.25, but the wickets dried up and economy soared in BBL|04 before he moved into coaching.

Colin Munro (New Zealand)

Seasons: BBL|12 – BBL|14

 

M: 15 | Runs: 502 | HS: 99no | SR: 145.93 | Ave: 35.85 | 50s: 3

The Big Bash champion with the Scorchers in BBL|11 was poached by the Heat in the inaugural overseas player draft the following season and it proved a masterstroke. The club has reached the grand final in both seasons since, beating the Sixers in BBL|13 to secure their second men’s title. Munro missed both of those finals campaigns due to his commitments in the UAE T20 league, but signed a two-year ahead of BBL|14 with full availability each season. His best for the Heat so far was a sparkling 99 not out against the Stars in the opening game of BBL|13 as the club recorded their biggest ever victory in men's competition. Also captained the Heat that season when Usman Khawaja was unavailable due to international commitments.

Sam Billings (England)

Seasons: BBL|12 – BBL|13

 

M: 15 | Runs: 332 | HS: 79 | SR: 136.06 | Ave: 22.13 | 50s: 1

Another experienced Big Bash campaigner the Heat snapped up in the inaugural BBL Draft. Billings also proved to be a smash hit in Brisbane with his calming influence behind the stumps helping guide the Heat to back-to-back finals campaigns. His best in teal was a 48-ball 79 against the Strikers in BBL|12 that included 27 runs from one Peter Siddle over. But with only one pre-draft overseas signing available to each club for BBL|14, the Heat went with Munro with Billings landing back at the Thunder on a three-year deal.

Lewis Gregory (England)

Season: BBL|10

 

M: 14 | Runs: 173 | HS: 36 | SR: 132.06 | Ave: 19.22

 

Wkts: 7 | BBI: 3-22 | Ave: 39.29 | Econ: 10.19

The beneficiary of the BBL's expansion to allow three internationals in the playing roster, the allrounder made a superb start to his stint with 3-22 against the Hurricanes. Then next game became a viral hit with a delivery that failed to hit the cut strip. He failed to reach double figures with the bat in eight of his 14 games, and only claimed single wickets in four more games after his debut.

Samuel Badree (West Indies)

Seasons: BBL|05 – BBL06

 

M: 13 | Wkts: 14 | Ave: 23.85 | Econ: 6.42 | BBI: 5-22

The Trinidadian was the world's top-ranked T20 bowler when he suited up for the Brisbane Heat in BBL|05. He had been signed by the club for the previous summer but was a late withdrawal after a shoulder injury that needed surgery. His delayed arrival didn't disappoint, taking nine wickets in his first season including 5-22 at the MCG against the Melbourne Stars. He was again outstanding in BBL|06 with five wickets in as many games until a hamstring injury cut short his season, ruling him out for the later stages of the tournament.

Joe Denly (England)

Season: BBL|10

 

M: 12 | Runs: 223 | HS: 50 | SR: 107.73 | Ave: 18.58 | 50s: 1

Recruited late to replace Tom Banton after the fellow Englishman pulled out of his contract, the former England international joined Brisbane in early January 2021 after two weeks of quarantine in a Perth hotel, and hit a 36-ball 50 in his second match to lead Brisbane to a win over the Thunder. He followed that with a first-ball duck against the Stars, and struggled to make an impact in his role with a poor strike rate for a batter of his calibre.

Ben Duckett (England)

Season: BBL|11

 

M: 12 | Runs: 302 | HS: 78 | SR: 128.51 | Ave: 25.17 | 50s: 3

An aggressive left-hander, the Englishman made a good impression in his first season of BBL, with three half-centuries. Shuffled between first drop and No.4, his best work came at the lower position, with back-to-back fifties either side of Christmas, but all too often he was forced into a rescue job after the Heat's top order failures.

Paul Walter (England)

Season: BBL|13

 

M: 11 | Runs: 99 | HS: 30no | SR: 125.31 | Ave: 12.37

 

Wkts: 17 | BBI: 3-27 | Ave: 17.11 | Econ: 8.55

The man they call 'Tall Paul' became an instant cult hero on joining the Heat for BBL|13 with his memorable aeroplane wicket celebrations, towering sixes and clever changes of pace. Drafted after a standout campaigns with runners-up Manchester Originals in The Hundred in 2022 and 2023, Walter didn't disappoint in the BBL either and became a key cog in the club's surge to their second men's title. The left-arm 203cm Englishman was rewarded for his outstanding campaign with selection in the official BBL|13 Team of the Tournament, as voted by the league's eight head coaches.

Sam Hain (England)

Seasons: BBL|12

 

M: 9 | Runs: 181 | HS: 73no | SR: 119.86 | Ave: 45.25 | 50s: 1

The Heat saw the best of the Gold Coast-raised English batter after signing him as a replacement player in BBL|12. The right-hander peeled off 181 runs and was unbeaten in five of his nine knocks. He was poached by the Hurricanes in the draft the following season where he was unable to replicate the same consistency and he was eventually dropped towards the end of BBL|13 after just 79 runs at 11.28 from seven innings.

Ross Whiteley (England)

Season: BBL|12

 

M: 9 | Runs: 74 | HS: 28no | SR: 102.77 | Ave: 14.80

 

Wkts: 3 | BBI: 2-2 | Ave: 25.00 | Econ: 7.50

The self-described "pro cricketer" and "part-time handyman" was the Heat’s third pick in the BBL|12 Draft but struggled for impact in his first stint in the Big Bash. He was dropped for the finals and went undrafted the following year.

Craig Kieswetter (England)

Season: BBL|03

 

M: 8 | Runs: 192 | HS: 51 | SR: 116.36 | Ave: 24.00 | 50s: 2

A 24-ball fifty in his second match instantly warmed the Gabba faithful to Craig Keiswetter. A dynamic and explosive keeper-batsman, he delighted fans with his clean straight hitting, expressive swivel pulls and lap shots. Sadly, there wasn't enough of it for Brisbane, as the defending champions finished out of the playoff spots in BBL|03. The Englishman suffered a horrific facial injury playing at home the next winter and retired from the sport entirely less than a year later.

Zahir Khan (Afghanistan)

Season: BBL|09

 

M: 8 | Wkts: 8 | BBI: 2-18 | Ave: 23.87 | Econ: 6.58

The Heat were the first BBL club to sign Zahir, who has since gone on to play for two more, but back in 2019-20 he was a bit of an unknown quantity when he was signed to join countryman Mujeeb Ur Rahman. It was the Heat's first season after McCullum had retired, and two spinners marked a change of approach for the Darren Lehmann-coached side. Zahir acquitted himself well in his eight matches, but the Heat reverted to seeking international batters thereafter.

Kemar Roach (West Indies)

Season: BBL|02

 

M: 8 | Wkts: 5 | BBI: 3-18 | Ave: 38.80 | Econ: 6.88

The rapid West Indian may not have taken a lot of wickets in his eight games, but he saved his best for last – with his 3-18 coming in the BBL|02 final as his rapid pace troubled the Scorchers to help Brisbane to their first BBL title win. He could have had four if a glove down the leg side was taken. Roach returned to the Heat for the ensuing T20 Champions League, but a shoulder injury cut that stay short and he hasn't found his way back to Brisbane.

Lendl Simmons (West Indies)

Season: BBL|05

 

M: 8 | Runs: 177 | HS: 54 | SR: 128.26 | Ave: 22.12 | 50s: 1

The Trinidadian was brought in on the eve of BBL|05 when Brendon McCullum stepped back to honour international commitments, and formed an all-West Indies import combination with Samuel Badree for the 2015-16 summer. Three ducks in eight games against pace bowlers detracted from his impact, which was otherwise solid, with a 30-ball 54 against the Sydney Sixers his best effort.

Tom Banton (England)

Season: BBL|09

 

M: 7 | Runs: 223 | HS: 64 | SR: 176.98 | Ave: 31.85 | 50s: 3

The Somerset big-hitter set the BBL alight with his explosive batting on his arrival to the club in BBL|09, but his tale is a case of 'what if' for Heat fans. Signed for the first eight games of the season before the arrival of AB de Villiers, he was electric and his strike-rate of 176.98 meant the club missed nothing following the retirement of Brendon McCullum. Brisbane were quick to secure Banton's signature on a two-year deal in February 2020, but the onset of the Covid pandemic and subsequent quarantine and bubble requirements saw him twice opt out of returning to the Heat.

Andrew Flintoff (England)

Season: BBL|04

 

M: 7 | Runs: 74 | HS: 46 | SR: 123.33 | Ave: 14.80

 

Wkts: 3 | BBI: 2-41 | Ave: 45.33 | Econ: 11.33

The former England captain was very much at the back end of his career when he joined the Brisbane Heat for BBL|04, and arguably made more a splash with his Elvis impersonations on the player mic and other antics with the Channel 10 commentary team. An entertaining character, but with only two double-digit scores and conceding more than 11 runs an over while only once bowling his full four overs, it's fair to say the Heat did not see the best of him.

Yasir Shah (Pakistan)

Season: BBL|07

 

M: 7 | Wkts: 5 | BBI: 2-18 | Ave: 36.00 | Econ: 6.42

Yasir Shah came on board for the final seven games of BBL|07 to replace compatriot Shadab Khan after the teenager was called up to the national team for a series in New Zealand. The then 31-year-old Yasir was a solid contributor, only twice letting batters get away with an economy of more than seven in his seven games. His best return in his debut game was overshadowed by a shocking Heat batting collapse, and overall it was a poor season for Brisbane as they lost their final four games with Yasir in the line-up and missed the finals.

AB de Villiers (South Africa)

Season: BBL|09

 

M: 6 | Runs: 146 | HS: 71 | SR: 140.38 | Ave: 24.33 | 50s: 1

The Brisbane Heat pulled off what was arguably the BBL's biggest international signing coup before the introduction of the draft when they stunned the league ahead of BBL|09 with the announcement Proteas superstar AB de Villiers would join the team, albeit only on a six-match deal for the second half of the season. The club moved heaven and earth to land their prize, but sadly the Heat did not quite see the best of AB in his six games with the club. A sparkling 71 from 37 balls at the MCG against the Melbourne Stars was breathtaking for the 27,676 in attendance, but the five other games yielded 75 runs combined, culminating in a cheap dismissal, bowled by Samit Patel as the Heat lost their final game of the season to wooden spooners Melbourne Renegades and subsequently missed the finals. There were rumours de Villiers was keen for a return to the club but the pandemic put those plans on ice and he has since retired from all forms of cricket.

Thisara Perera (Sri Lanka)

Season: BBL|02

 

M: 6 | Runs: 91 | HS: 38 | SR: 178.43 | Ave: 22.75

 

Wkts: 6 | BBI: 3-18 | Ave: 21.66 | Econ: 9.06

A last-minute replacement when Dale Steyn's planned one-match cameo fell through and New Zealander Daniel Vettori was injured, the Sri Lanka allrounder met his teammates less than 24 hours before the opening game of a six-match stint. He made an instant impact with a swashbuckling 22no off eight, and his tournament strike rate of 178.43 was the highest in BBL|02 (min. 50 runs). An excellent contributor in the Heat's title-winning season, he missed the finals campaign when called into Sri Lanka's one-day squad in early January.

Dan Lawrence (England)

Season: BBL|10

 

M: 4 | Runs: 41 | HS: 20 | SR: 93.18 | Ave: 10.25 | Wkts: 0 | Econ: 8.66

Four forgettable games in teal for the Englishman who was a late replacement player with Lewis Gregory called up to England's South Africa tour. His most notable contribution came off the field when he and Chris Lynn were fined $10,000 each for flouting CA's Covid-bubble protocols, although it did spur Lawrence to produce his performance in his next appearance with 20 off 19 balls against the Thunder.

Shadab Khan (Pakistan)

Season: BBL|07

 

M: 3 | Wkts: 6 | BBI: 2-17 | Ave: 14.16 | Econ: 7.08

Signed amid much fanfare after two seasons of Samuel Badree, the then 18-year-old Pakistani leg-spinner was picked up by the Heat after impressing Brendon McCullum while they were teammates at the Caribbean Premier League. He only featured in three games however before being called up to the national team for a New Zealand tour, replaced in the squad by compatriot Yasir Shah.

Roelof van der Merwe (South Africa)

Season: BBL|01

 

M: 3 | Runs: 66 | HS: 36 | SR: 140.43 | Ave: 22.00

 

Wkts: 2 | BBI: 1-23 | Econ: 10.38

A less than auspicious stint for the Johannesburg-born hard-hitting left-arm spinner who joined the Heat for the inaugural season of BBL. Two nights after his first game he was out celebrating his 27th birthday on New Year's Eve and failed a roadside breath test the next morning, leading to a one-game ban, a hefty fine from the club and a court appearance. The South Africa-turned Dutch international later crossed paths with the Heat again, playing a key role in eliminating the BBL|02 champions from the 2013 T20 Champions League tournament.

Tom Abell (England)

Season: BBL|11

 

M: 2 | Runs: 9 | HS: 9 | SR: 69.23 | Ave: 9.00

When Tom Banton pulled out for a second successive season the Heat turned to his Somerset colleague Tom Abell for BBL|11. The stint lasted just two games though as Abell injured his hip in an awkward landing attempting a catch against the Thunder and wasn't seen in teal again.

Tymal Mills (England)

Season: BBL|06

 

M: 2 | Wkts: 1 | BBI: 1-20 | Ave: 50 | Econ: 6.25

The rapid fast bowler from Sussex made his BBL debut with the Brisbane Heat late in BBL|06 as a replacement player for Samuel Badree, who had been injured. He played two games, hit 150kph, but proved raw pace wasn't everything.

Fakhar Zaman (Pakistan)

Season: BBL|11

 

M: 1 | Runs: 3 | HS: 3 | SR: 37.50 | Ave: 3.00

An exciting talent but one which the Brisbane Heat didn't get to see the best of. Signed up to replace Tom Abell, he had to skip games in Queensland because of that state's border restrictions in the midst of the pandemic then, after just one appearance, was recalled early by the Pakistan Cricket Board ahead of their own domestic T20 tournament, the call coming just hours before a crucial match against the Stars that left the Heat scrambling.