The Brisbane Heat have named Test batters Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne for tonight’s top of the table KFC Big Bash League game against the Perth Scorchers at the Gabba.
Heat Include Test Duo
The Australian batting duo played in the BBL season-opener against the Melbourne Stars, before focussing their playing attention on the recent Test series victory over Pakistan, won 3-0 by Australia.
The Heat have also named allrounder Jack Wildermuth in their 15-man squad for the first time this season to prepare for the clash with the defending BBL champions.
Local replacement players Jordan Buckingham and Callum Vidler drop out of the squad, as does batter Josh Brown. Vidler leaves on Thursday with the Australian Under-19 team to compete in the ICC World Youth Cup in South Africa.
Brisbane will finalise its starting team at the toss, with the match underway from 6.40pm. It is the first time the two teams have met since last season’s thrilling Final won by Perth at Optus Stadium.
The game will also feature both teams wearing their First Nations rounds playing strips, with the Heat players donating signed playing shirts once the game has finished for an online auction that is raising funds to advance Indigenous cricket opportunities through the Queensland Cricket Foundation. Click Here to view the auction.
The Heat will meet Perth in Perth on Saturday for their return clash, their last regular season game before the Finals.
Brisbane secured a top three spot and a home Final at the Gold Coast with the one-run win over the Hobart Hurricanes on Sunday.
KFC Big Bash League
Brisbane Heat v Perth Scorchers
The Gabba, 6.40pm, Wednesday 10 Jan
1. Usman Khawaja (c)
19. Xavier Bartlett
7. Sam Billings (Int)
17. Max Bryant
45. Spencer Johnson
30. Matthew Kuhnemann
33. Marnus Labuschagne
38. Nathan McSweeney
82. Colin Munro (Int)
20. Michael Neser
59. Jimmy Peirson
77. Matthew Renshaw
4. Mitch Swepson
22. Paul Walter (Int)
24. Jack Wildermuth