WBBL|05 Fan’s guide: Brisbane Heat

The WBBL|04 champions look stronger than ever as they seek to defend their title.

When the Heat shocked the Sydney Sixers to claim their first piece of silverware last summer, they did it using a wealth of home grown talent, barely calling upon their South African internationals Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt.

This year, the Proteas are gone and in come two exciting imports in New Zealand leg-spinner Amelia Kerr and batter Maddy Green, who join Australian stars Jess Jonassen, Beth Mooney and Delissa Kimmince to form a formidable group of marquee players. 

The bulk of their championship squad returns, minus young ‘keeper-batter Josie Dooley, who moves to the Renegades, and Jemma Barsby, who is headed west, but they’ve added former Hurricane Mikayla Hinkley and newcomer Lilly Mills. 

WBBL|04 result: Winners

Current squad: Lilly Mills, Charli Knott, Haidee Birkett, Maddy Green (NZ), Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Mikayla Hinkley, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Jess Jonassen (Aus), Amelia Kerr (NZ), Delissa Kimmince (Aus), Beth Mooney (Aus), Georgia Prestwidge, Kirby Short (c), Courtney Sippel. 

In: Amelia Kerr (NZ), Maddy Green (NZ), Mikayla Hinkley (Hurricanes), Lilly Mills 

Out: Jemma Barsby (Scorchers), Josie Dooley (Renegades), Sune Luus (SA), Laura Wolvaardt (SA) 

The word from Australia great and Fox Cricket commentator Mel Jones:

"For the Brisbane Heat to go back to back, they’ve got to get rid of that back-to-back mentality. They’ve got to put aside the fact they won last year’s final and start afresh and make sure every time they rock up, they’re looking to set a new standard of play."

One to watch: Amelia Kerr. The New Zealand leg-spinner turns 19 this week but has already been playing international cricket for three years and is one of the most exciting prospects in the game. Aged 17, she became only the second woman to hit an ODI double ton and while her batting, by and large, remains a work in progress, she has complete control over what she can do with the ball and will bring a whole new dimension to the Heat’s bowling attack.

The pressure is on: Kirby Short. The captain has a big task ahead of her to ensure there are no premiership hangovers in the Heat ranks after last year’s success. She’s got plenty of talent at her disposal, the question is how best to employ it. With explosive batters Grace Harris, Beth Mooney, Jess Jonassen and Sammy-Jo Johnson in the top order, she’ll also need to figure out where she best fits into the batting line-up.

Possible starting XI: Kirby Short (c), Beth Mooney, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Maddy Green, Mikayla Hinkley, Delissa Kimmince, Laura Harris, Amelia Kerr, Haidee Birkett

Fixtures

Check out the full WBBL|05 fixture here

October 19 v Sixers, North Sydney Oval (7.10pm)

October 20 v Thunder, North Sydney Oval (2.10pm)

October 26 v Scorchers, AB Field (1.10pm)

October 27 v Hurricanes, AB Field (1.10pm)

November 2 v Strikers, Harrup Park, Mackay (6.15pm)

November 3 v Strikers, Harrup Park, Mackay (3pm)

November 9 v Sixers, North Sydney Oval (3pm)

November 13 v Stars, Junction Oval (2pm)

November 16 v Thunder, Drummoyne Oval (7.10pm)

November 17 v Scorchers, Drummoyne Oval l (10am)

November 20 v Renegades, Junction Oval (10am)

November 22 v Hurricanes, Blundstone Arena (7.10pm)

November 27 v Renegades, AB Field (1.10pm)

December 1 v Stars , Junction Oval (3pm)

All times local

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