FAN FAVOURITE RETURNS | Ness Signs New Two-Year Deal

A hero of Australia’s Ashes triumph last season, Neser is a triple-threat to opposition line-ups with bat, ball and in the field.

The 36-year-old played two games for the Heat last season after his summer focus switched from BBL white ball to the pink and red Kookaburra for the Test series.

He took 15 wickets for Australia, including a memorable maiden five-wicket haul at the Gabba.

A foundation player with the Heat in BBL|01, he is closing in on 50 games for Brisbane after donning the teal in 43 games to date, taking 55 wickets including 26 in the BBL|12 season when he was the club’s MVP.

Notably, he and Spencer Johnson boast the best bowling strike-rates in the club, with Neser (15.29) and his new-ball partner (15.26) among the game’s leading wicket-takers in the BBL.

Neser, who has played 105 career Big Bash games, said he hoped to deliver further impactful seasons with the Heat in BBL|16 and BBL|17.

“As a player, it’s always been the best thing about the BBL; there is always the chance to make an impact on the game,’’ he said.

“Bowling, batting, taking a catch, making a run-out, or as we saw in Hobart last when Matt Renshaw saved a six, saving runs in the field can make the difference between winning and losing.”

“There’s nothing better than being a Heat player at the Gabba when the ground is packed and the crowd is heaving, and you look up in a key moment and know that everyone is right there with you.”

New Brisbane Heat coach James Hopes said Neser’s presence in the club would again be a key factor in a successful season.

“You look at when the Heat are at their absolute best and Mikey is never far away from the action. His presence around the group always helps the players as they strive to be a successful unit,’’ he said.

“It was fantastic to see him enjoy the Ashes victory last season and know that he had brought those same qualities to the Australian team.”

Neser is the first BBL signing for the Heat since the contracting embargo lifted on Thursday.

BRISBANE HEAT - BBL|16 SQUAD

• Xavier Bartlett
• Max Bryant
• Lachlan Hearne
• Spencer Johnson
• Matt Kuhnemann
• Michael Neser
• Nathan McSweeney
• Matthew Renshaw
• Callum Vidler
• Hugh Weibgen
• Jack Wildermuth