The Brisbane Heat has completed an extensive KFC Big Bash League signing blitz, securing Matthew Renshaw to a new three-year deal and locking away a talented duo BBL|15 and beyond.
Renshaw has agreed to a fresh contract with the Heat, with the team’s leading runs-scorer in BBL|14 signing on following the lifting of last week’s Big Bash contract embargo period.
The left-hander hit 280 runs at a strike rate of 169.69 to lead the Heat’s batting group, with he and Max Bryant combining for a 108-run stand from 54 balls to snatch a remarkable win over the Sydney Thunder at the Gabba.
Renshaw will be joined in teal for BBL|15 by new recruits Hugh Weibgen and Lachlan Hearne, with the Queensland duo opting to join the Heat after being Local Replacement Players for the Sydney Thunder and Sixers last season.
Weibgen’s signing to a three-year deal reunites him with his 2024 Australian Under-19 teammate Callum Vidler, with the rising fast bowler signing a contract earlier this year to extend his Heat contract until the end of BBL|16.
Weibgen, the World Cup winning Australian U-19 captain, played six games for the Thunder, including their Knockout Final win and Challenger Final loss to the Sixers after being signed mid-season as an injury replacement for Tanveer Sangha.
Hearne, announced last week as the Queensland One Day Player of the Year, spent the final week of BBL|14 as part of the Sydney Sixers squad, having previously been on the Thunder list as a teenager.
The 24-year-old left-hander is the latest player to utilise the KFC T20 Max competition as a career springboard.
Hearne joined Queensland Premier Club Toombul from Sydney as one of their initial interstate recruits in the first season of the competition in 2022-23 and after impressing with his clean striking, opted to relocate to Queensland the following season.
His performances across the board soon earned him a call-up to the Queensland 2nd XI and Queensland Bulls, earning a contract last summer where the former Australian Under-19 batter made his Sheffield Shield and One Day debuts for his adopted State.
Hearne, who was also a Local Replacement Player for the Heat in their BBL|13 championship squad, has signed a two-year deal and will add further depth to the Brisbane batting line-up.
Renshaw said he was thrilled to continue his BBL career with the Brisbane Heat.
“They are a great bunch of lads and I’m excited about what lies ahead,’’ he said.
“We didn’t get the results we were seeking in BBL|14 after such a successful BBL|13 season but there still a lot to build on.
“Personally, I really enjoyed challenging myself in the white ball formats during the season and my immediate goal remains to keep improving myself,” Renshaw said.
Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson said as well as re-signing Renshaw for a long-term deal, the recruitment of Weibgen had been a priority in the aftermath of the season.
“Hugh was highly sought after by a number of clubs after his efforts with the Thunder, and as a Queensland product, we were very keen to secure him for the Heat through to BBL|17,’’ he said.
“Likewise, Lachy Hearne has made every post a winner in Queensland since making the big decision to pack up and move from Sydney after missing out on a NSW contract,” Svenson said.
The Heat currently have 13 of their contracted 18 spots filled for BBL|15.
BBL|15 Brisbane Heat squad to date:
Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Lachlan Hearne (NEW), Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro (overseas pre-signing), Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw, Callum Vidler, Hugh Weibgen (NEW)