Big hitting Ipswich allrounder Jack Wood will make his return to the Brisbane Heat club for this week’s vital KFC Big Bash League return clash with the Adelaide Strikers.
JACK WOOD BACK WITH HEAT | Joins Squad For NYE Clash
Wood, a talented musician away from cricket, will aim to start 2026 on a high note after being named as a Local Replacement Player (LRP) for Wednesday night’s New Year’s Eve clash against the Strikers at Adelaide Oval.
The BBL Technical Committee has approved Wood as an LRP for Usman Khawaja who is on international duties along with Heat teammates Marnus Labuschagne and Michael Neser ahead of the fifth Ashes Test in Sydney next week.
Under the BBL competition regulations, Wood must be named in the 12 for tomorrow night’s game.
The Heat completed an exciting final over victory over the Strikers on Saturday night at the Gabba to move into the top four for the first time in the competition and will be seeking further points as the competition moves into its 2026 phase.
Wood has played eight BBL games for the Heat to date, with a highlight his 45 from 27 balls, including four sixes, against the Melbourne Renegades at Marvel Stadium last season.
The 29-year-old Queenslander represented Australia at the annual Hong Kong Sixes tournament in November, playing four games with a highest score of 55 from just 11 balls.
He hit seven sixes in that knock which saw him score at a strike-rate of 500.
Internationals Shaheen Shah Afridi and Tom Alsop will miss the game as both recover from knee complaints sustained during the Heat’s win over the Strikers on the weekend.
An update on their likely return to play dates, as well as that of Nathan McSweeney (ankle) will be available later this week.
If chosen in the starting side, batter Lachlan Hearne and pace bowler Oli Patterson would make their BBL debuts.
Tomorrow’s match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and 7Plus, Foxtel, Kayo and on radio through ABC and SEN.
KFC Big Bash League
Brisbane Heat v Adelaide Strikers
Tomorrow, 6.15pmQld time
Adelaide Oval
Brisbane Heat
95. Tom Balkin (LRP)
19. Xavier Bartlett
17. Max Bryant
99. Liam Haskett (LRP)
22. Lachlan Hearne
30. Matthew Kuhnemann
82. Colin Munro (Int)
54. Oli Patterson
59. Jimmy Peirson
77. Matthew Renshaw
23. Hugh Weibgen
24. Jack Wildermuth
41. Jack Wood (LRP)
Player Changes – Round 5
In: Jack Wood (LRP).
Out: Shaheen Shah Afridi (knee), Tom Alsop (knee).