Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat have added another maroon-grown reinforcement for the opening rounds of the KFC Big Bash League this week with Australian Under-19 fast bowler Connor Sully joining the squad as a replacement player.
Sully comes into the Heat squad as an injury replacement for his Australian Under-19 pace bowling teammate Matthew Willans who injured his shoulder on the weekend while batting for University of Queensland in the Kookaburra T20 competition.
Sully, who turned 20 in October, was approved by the BBL Technical committee to replace Willans who had been contracted to the Heat for the first time earlier this year.
The pair toured to South Africa at the start of 2020 for the ICC Under-19 World Cup, where Sully made headlines for his stout lower order hitting as Australia smashed 40 from 16 balls to win a final ball thriller against England.
A first grade regular for Norths as a teenager, Sully has been a rookie contracted player with the Queensland Bulls for the past two years. He has taken 29 wickets at 21.9 so far this season for the Vikings in the Bulls Masters First Grade competition.
He will travel to Canberra with the rest of the squad tomorrow to prepare for Friday’s clash with the Melbourne Stars and Monday’s game against the Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval.
Heat coach Darren Lehmann said Sully was an exciting prospect.
“He bowls with good pace and is a nice clean hitter down the order, so he has the skills to help the squad,’’ he said.
“He will have the chance to work alongside Morne Morkel and Ben Laughlin so there is a wonderful opportunity for him to improve and enhance his skills.”
“It’s a real shame for Matty Willans on the eve of the tournament, as he has been working really well. We hope he makes a speedy recovery.”
“We have been consistent within the squad that we will work with an an extended group of players across the tournament and for everyone to be ready and clear on their roles if called upon.
The Heat squad will travel to Canberra tomorrow and finalise its squad of 13 on Thursday.
Tickets are on sale now through Ticketek for the Brisbane Heat home games at the Gabba and Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast, with the first home game on 23 December against the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba.
