Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The WBBL Brisbane Heat have bolstered their all-round strength for the next two years of the Weber Women’s Big Bash League with their first multi-year international player signing and retention of a key bowler.
The Heat today confirmed two-year deals had been signed by South African allrounder Nadine de Klerk and pace spearhead Nicola Hanock.
The Heat has previously signed de Klerk to a pair of one-year contracts prior to the introduction of the WBBL international Player Draft last year.
The 24-year-old right-arm pace bowler and right-hand batter made her international debut as a teenager in 2017 and recently achieved a career high ranking of 11 in the ICC T20 Allrounder Player Rankings.
She scored her maiden one-day century last month for the Blaze in the Rachel Heyhoe-Flint one day competition in England and is currently touring India with the Proteas for their multi-format series.
De Klerk has played 18 WBBL matches for the Heat, with her international record featuring two Tests, 36 ODIs and 61 T20Is prior to the Indian tour.
Hancock joined the Heat in 2020-21 for WBBL|06 and was named in the Team of the Tournament in WBBL|08.
She was equal third in the leading wicket-takers list in WBBL|09 last season, taking 23 wickets with an economy rate of 7.17.
Heat captain Jess Jonassen said she was delighted to welcome de Klerk back to the club.
“We really enjoyed her commitment to the cause when she was with us in the past, and it has been great to see her blossom into a regular performer for South Africa,’’ she said.
“She’s a triple threat as a player – her bowling, especially in the PowerPlay and PowerSurgeovers is getting better and better, she has developed as a batting finisher, and she is excellent in the field,” Jonassen said.
Incoming Heat coach Mark Sorell said the retention of Hancock and the addition of de Klerk provided surety in key roles for the team into the future.
“Nic has taken to the role of our pace bowling spearhead with gusto and gives her all in the tough overs,’’ he said.
“Nadine adds another versatile pace and swing bowling option to the group and her batting numbers continue to catch the eye.”
“We’re grateful for her commitment to the Heat for the next two years and look forward to her continuing to impress in her international career with South Africa.’’ He said.
The signing of de Klerk means the Heat will head to the WBBL International Player draft with greater clarity as to their draft targets.
Last season’s middle order batting lynchpin Mignon du Preez will not be available for the WBBL this year as she and her husband are expecting twins later this year.
“Everyone at the Heat couldn’t be happier for ‘Minne’ and Tony and we certainly wish them all the best,” Sorell said.
WBBL|10 Brisbane Heat squad: Nadine de Klerk (Int), Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Ellie Johnston, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Georgia Redmayne.
