Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
The Brisbane Heat has confirmed that Usman Khawaja will captain the team in this summer’s KFC Big Bash League.
Khawaja was a key off-season recruit this year and will take on the same leadership role he has filled successfully with the Queensland Bulls since 2017.
He was announced as the Heat captain to the audience at today’s Summer of Cricket Luncheon for the Queensland Cricket Foundation where he was a guest speaker alongside foundation Heat player Matthew Hayden and former Test quick Rodney Hogg.
With the start of the competition less than a month away, the Heat has moved to affirm Khawaja’s leadership role ahead of the upcoming Tests against the West Indies and South Africa which coincide with the start of the BBL.
Queensland Cricket and Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson said the start of the Heat’s BBL campaign carried with it a significant sense of anticipation.
“We’re excited to be able to mark the start of the BBL campaign, which coincides with the WBBL Heat team chasing a spot in their Finals next week,’’ he said.
“With quality individuals like Jess Jonassen and Usman at the helms of their respective teams, we’re confident as a club that we have the structure and playing talent to do well,’’ Svenson said.
The WBBL Heat play the Melbourne Stars on Sunday in Moe for the chance to potentially host the qualifying finals next week, or to make the top four, depending on final results in the next three days.
The Brisbane Heat will launch their BBL season in Cairns on Thursday December 15 as part of a 7-game home stretch across Cazaly’s Stadium, the Gabba and Metricon Stadium, with this summer’s schedule including an inaugural New Year’s Day marquee match.
Heat memberships and public tickets are on sale now through Ticketek for the BBL this summer.
All details can be found at brisbaneheat.com.au.
2022-23 Brisbane Heat Squad
BBL|12
Sam Billlings (International)
Colin Munro (International)
Ross Whiteley (International)
Xavier Bartlett
James Bazley
Max Bryant
Sam Heazlett
Spencer Johnson (new)
Usman Khawaja (new)
Matt Kuhnemann
Marnus Labuschagne
Michael Neser
Jimmy Peirson
Will Prestwidge
Matthew Renshaw (new)
Mark Steketee
Mitch Swepson
Jack Wildermuth
The Brisbane Heat are an Australian professional cricket team competing in the Big Bash League (BBL), representing both men’s and women’s cricket. Based in Brisbane, Queensland, the Heat succeeded the Queensland Bulls, who played in the former KFC Twenty20 Big Bash. The team wears a teal uniform and plays at the Brisbane Cricket Ground, known as The Gabba.
