Photo Credit: Brisbane Heat
Championship winning coach Darren Lehmann has extended his contract with the Brisbane Heat for a further year to tie him to the club for BBL|11.
Lehmann, head coach for the past two years in his second stint with the Heat, oversaw the squad that finished third in this season’s KFC Big Bash League, the club’s best finish since 2016-17.
The former Australian coach was the Heat’s inaugural coach and in charge of the team that won the championship in BBL|02.
Queensland Cricket CEO Terry Svenson said it was an important decision to re-sign Lehmann and extend his tenure to three seasons.
“Since we finished the most recent tournament, we have been putting together the Heat squad for BBL|11 and beyond with Darren’s direction and it is gratifying to know we are going to be able to take that forward under his coaching,’’ he said.
Photo Credit: LinkedIn profile picture of Terry Svenson
“We’re pleased he has accepted this contract extension and look forward to further developing a strong framework around the BBL team for the coming season to give them every chance of success.”
“Across the year, the WBBL and BBL teams were within a game of the grand final and as an organisation, we are committed to building squads and team cultures that will see us enjoy sustained success into the future.
“Both the WBBL and BBL remain our most important vehicles to get girls and boys playing cricket and we know we are in the strong positions to continue growing both leagues.”
Svenson said QC was committed to integrating recommendations from the recent external review into the Heat’s BBL and WBBL teams and their structures.
“We have had a good opportunity to digest the review and its recommendations and have begun putting things in place for the future.”
Lehmann expressed his delight at having the opportunity to continue the team’s development this year.
“We gained a lot from this season, as individuals, but also as a group,’’ he said.
“There were plenty of challenges to endure but the players bonded together really well and took some big strides forward.”
‘As a coach, the way the younger players worked with the senior lads was really encouraging and the confidence they demonstrated, the deeper we went into the tournament, was significant.”
“Winning the two knock-out finals demonstrates that we are very capable of playing consistent, exciting cricket,’’ he said.
“We know there is still much to do, and there are improvements we will make heading into the coming season. But there are exciting days ahead,’’ Lehmann said.
Name of Author: Brisbane Heat
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.
