Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
Brisbane Heat wicket-keeper Jimmy Peirson will officially become the club’s latest on-field leader with the announcement today that he will take on the captaincy full-time for this summer’s KFC Big Bash League.
Peirson, who recently became a father for the second time, will take time out of his preparations for the opening rounds of the Marsh Sheffield Shield and Marsh One Day Cup in Brisbane next week to unveil his vision as the Heat’s latest captain.
The 28-year-old takes over the reins from the club’s most capped captain, Chris Lynn, who stood from the role earlier this year after leading the Heat on 48 occasions.
Peirson made an eye-catching foray into the leadership stakes last season when Lynn was injured, with the club winning three of its five games under the gloveman’s leadership.
Brisbane’s two losses in that time were by margins of just one run and two runs, with Peirson contributing a string of vital innings across the season as the Heat ultimately finished third.
Peirson was Queensland’s youngest-ever Sheffield Shield winning captain when the Queensland Bulls won the competition in 2018, achieving that feat after just 16 first class games.
The announcement reunites Seccombe and Peirson as a leadership team after the pair first did so in the Queensland Under-19 squad in 2011.
“When Chris informed us that he would be stepping down, we knew there was a good opportunity to review and renew the leadership roles without the group.
“When it came time to formalize our thinking during the off-season, Darren (Lehmann) and I, the Heat committee and the rest of the staff were on the same page around making Jimmy captain for the BBL this summer.
“It’s a big job and so we wanted him to have plenty of time to consider the role and what sort of things he expected from the club and the coaching staff if he was to take on the role.
“As an organization, we’re obviously very pleased he has agreed to do the job full-time after being impressive last season when he took on the role.
“I was fortunate enough to have Jimmy as our captain when I was coaching the 19s and even then, he showed innate leadership qualities and a desire to see the team perform at their best,’’ he said.
“He works well with his senior players and keeps a calm head which are great attributes to call upon.”
Photo Credit: LinkedIn profile photo of Wade Seccombe
Peirson thanked Queensland Cricket and the Heat for their support during the process to determine the captaincy.
“I appreciated the time to think it over and discuss with my family. I’ve been lucky enough to work closely with Baz McCullum and ‘Lynny’ at the Heat and ‘Uz’ with the Bulls, so I feel confident in a leadership role when it has arisen.”
“Captaincy in the BBL can be challenging but that is why you play the game. To challenge and test yourself and find ways to get better,’’ he said.
“I’m looking forward to the season ahead – it’s an exciting time for all of us.”
The Heat have announced Jimmy Peirson (c), Chris Lynn, Xavier Bartlett, Sam Heazlett, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Matt Willans, Tom Cooper, Michael Neser, Marnus Labuschagne, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (international) and Ben Duckett (International) as players under contract for BBL|11 and beyond.
