Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The WBBL Brisbane Heat will head into a bumper Weber Women’s Big Bash League this summer with batting trump Georgia Redmayne extending her current contract for a further 12 months.
Today’s WBBL fixture announcement in Mackay also featured the news that the Australian World Cup squad member would be tied to the Heat until the end of the 2023-24 WBBL season.
Heat coach Ashley Noffke said Redmayne continued to develop as a leader within the group.
“Redders brings her personal commitment to getting the little things right to the rest of the squad and that attention to detail benefits everyone,’’ he said.
“Her time with the Australian squad at the World Cup was very important. While she didn’t have a playing role, her time with the group was invaluable.
“Being part of the planning, the training, the execution of the game plans, as well as being around high intensity tournament play that resulted in a memorable Australian victory will certainly benefit us as a team this summer.”
“We’re rapt to be heading back to Mackay where we have a decent record and excellent support whenever we take to the field. It’s also exciting for us as a group to be back at Allan Border Field for the first time since we won the title in WBBL|05 so that is something to look forward to.”
Great Barrier Reef Arena at Harrup Park will host six matches from Thursday 13 October, with the Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers meeting that night in the opening game of the season.
The Heat will play three games in Mackay, against the Sixers and the Melbourne Stars and Renegades, between opening night and Tuesday 18 October.
The other WBBL team to feature in Mackay will be the Adelaide Strikers.
The Heat will also make their return to Brisbane for the first time in three years, playing matches under lights at the newly redeveloped Allan Border Field for the first time since their WBBL|05 championship win.
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said Mackay was the perfect location to launch the WBBL 2022-23 season.
“The weather in Mackay in October is fantastic for cricket and we’re looking forward to welcoming some of Australia’s best female cricket stars back to our region for these matches,” he said.
“The WBBL games always draw a huge crowd to Harrup Park and we’re excited to showcase our first-class facilities once again as we cheer on the Brisbane Heat,” he said
Not since the WBBL|05 season have all clubs hosted matches in their own markets – but in Weber WBBL|08, 14 metro and regional venues will play host to the world’s best cricket league for women.
Host broadcaster Seven will show 24 matches live this season, with all 59 matches on Foxtel and Kayo.
This includes a new Thursday night slot, with a total of 17 matches in prime time, the most in the competition’s history.
In addition to the 17 prime time matches, a further 15 matches will be played in twilight time slots. Importantly, no WBBL match will clash with any of Australia’s games in the ICC Men’s T20 World Cup, ensuring fans can enjoy the best of both competitions either at the venue or on TV.
The Finals series will take place following the conclusion of the regular season on November 20, with dates and details of each match to be confirmed.
Tickets to all WBBL Heat matches will be available via pre sale on August 16 and available to the public from August 18 through Ticketek.com.au.
