Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
Rising Queensland fast bowler Connor Sully will aim for a 2021 career hat-trick with his recruitment by the Brisbane Heat for next month’s KFC Big Bash League.
Sully will complete the Heat squad for BBL|11 and will be keen to add a debut in teal to his Sheffield Shield and One Day debuts for Queensland so far this summer to make it a hat-trick of maiden appearances in all three formats.
The former Australian Under-19 quick brings raw pace to the Heat squad balance, having given a glimpse of his potential with a return of 4-39 from six overs in only his second Marsh One Day Cup appearance for the Bulls earlier this month.
The 21-year-old plays for Northern Suburbs in the KFC Queensland Premier Cricket competition where he has so far claimed 15 wickets at 20.07.
This will be the second time Sully has been on the Heat books, signed as a replacement player for the start of the last BBL season.
The young paceman spent time with the team for the first half of the competition without playing a game, before being replaced as other contracted players became available.
Sully caught the eye as a teenager at the start of 2020 for the ICC Under-19 World Cup, where he made headlines for his stout lower order hitting as Australia smashed 40 from 16 balls to win a final ball thriller against England.
Heat coach Wade Seccombe said Sully had enjoyed his tastes of top-level cricket so far this season.
“We’re pleased with the way he is coming along for Queensland and it will be very beneficial for him to be a part of the squad for the entire BBL this season,’’ he said.
“He and his fellow ‘young gun’ Matty Willans give us some good depth and variety in our pace bowling ranks.
“I am sure he will enjoy the chance to soak up the experience again, as well as provide another option for some x-factor in our bowling if the opportunity presents itself,” he said.
The Heat’s squad for 2021-22 features Chris Lynn, Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Max Bryant, Sam Heazlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Jimmy Peirson (c), Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Matt Willans, Tom Cooper, Michael Neser, Marnus Labuschagne, Connor Sully, Jack Wildermuth, Mujeeb Ur Rahman (International), Ben Duckett (International) and Tom Abell (International) as players under contract for BBL|11 and beyond.
Tickets are now on sale through Ticketek for all seven Heat home games these summer holidays with five games at the Gabba and two at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.
All home games will fall within the Queensland school holidays with three of the team’s last four games at the Gabba.
The Heat will take on the Melbourne Renegades at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast on Monday 13 December, with their first Gabba match inside a week later when they host the Sydney Thunder on Sunday 19 December.
Their other home matches feature the Melbourne Stars on Monday 27 December at the Gabba, the defending champion Sydney Sixers at Metricon Stadium on Tuesday 4 January, followed by Brisbane hosting the Hobart Hurricanes (Saturday 8 January), Adelaide Strikers (Wednesday 12 January) and Perth Scorchers (Wednesday 19 January), all at the Gabba.
