Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The WBBL Brisbane Heat will welcome back star New Zealand allrounder Amelia Kerr for this summer’s Weber Women’s Big Bash League.
Kerr, 21, has successfully returned to the playing arena after taking a break from the game last year and has confirmed she will link with the Heat once again in WBBL|08.
The leg-spinner and middle order batter made her Heat debut in 2019 in their WBBL|05 championship squad and has played 30 matches for the club, taking 31 wickets, and scoring 204 runs.
Her extended break from the game while dealing with anxiety and depression saw her miss last season for the Heat.
However, she returned to help Wellington to an unbeaten NZ T20 competition trophy and impress for the White Ferns in their ICC World Cup campaign earlier this year.
She was named the Cricket New Zealand female ODI player of the year in April.
Kerr scored 171 runs and picked six wickets in six matches in 2021 and provided a strong showing in the World Cup where she scored 201 runs and took nine wickets in seven games.
She will play for the London Spirit in the second season of The Hundred in England later this year and is set to represent New Zealand at the upcoming Commonwealth Games where women’s cricket will be featured.
Heat coach Ashley Noffke said the club was delighted to renew their relationship with Kerr.
“We were so pleased to see Melie back smiling and enjoying cricket again and are really looking forward to having her join us for the WBBL,’’ he said.
“Her batting during the World Cup was impressive in spite of some challenging conditions and it will be great to see her continue to develop her skills further.”
“We’re excited to have her back in the squad this summer and I think her experience and insights will be very valuable for the group. Our young players will really enjoy the chance to learn from her as they play alongside her.”
Kerr said she had been grateful for the Heat’s support.
“Ash and the team were in regular contact while I was having a break, and the Heat have been nothing but supportive.”
“I kept an eye on how they went last year and so I’m looking forward to coming back to Brisbane and having some fun with the Heat girls.
“The WBBL is an exciting tournament and I’m keen to make the most of the opportunity this summer.”
Brisbane has recruited eight players so far for the coming season and will announce further signings now that the WBBL embargo period has lifted.
Included in the signings are Australian World Cup squad members Jess Jonassen and Georgia Redmayne and Australia ‘A’ representatives Courtney Sippel and Georgia Voll.
The Heat made the semi-finals last season only to be knocked out in the Eliminator by the Adelaide Strikers.
2022-23 WBBL Brisbane Heat Squad
Jess Jonassen (c)
Amelia Kerr (Int)
Nicola Hancock
Ellie Johnston
Charli Knott
Georgia Redmayne
Courtney Sippel
Georgia Voll
