THE 2024/25 Big Bash League (BBL) season is right around the corner, kicking off with a clash between the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars on December 15. Another bumper schedule plays host to 40 matches followed by a finals series which will see the BBL|14 title awarded on January 27.

With plenty of water passing under the bridge since BBL|13, including a draft and signing period, we get you back up to speed with all the ins and outs before the new season. Where better to start than with the Brisbane Heat, who will look to defend their crown with much of the same victorious core.

BBL|13 RECAP

Record: 7-1, 2NR | 2-1 Finals | Premier

After going down in a thrilling BBL|12 Final, the Heat came out all guns blazing with an undefeated 7-0 record from their first nine games. A loss to Perth in the last home-and-away round was followed by a stutter in The Qualifier, but Brisbane recovered to breeze past the Strikers and exact revenge on the Sixers in a road decider to convert the minor premiership.

BBL|14 SQUAD

Tom Alsop, Xavier Bartlett, Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Nathan McSweeney, Colin Munro, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mitchell Swepson, Callum Vidler, Paul Walter, Jack Wood

Note: Brisbane will have to sign replacement players for each of their Australian Test representatives, and have filled 17 of a possible 18 list spots.

INS

Draft: Colin Munro (pre-signed), Tom Alsop, Paul Walter
Signings: Callum Vidler

Brisbane accounted for its losses to add much-needed batting depth, no less with three batters in the Australian Test side. 37-year-old Colin Munro was the Heat’s marquee overseas signing, locking in the New Zealander for two full-time seasons having lost opener Josh Brown to the Renegades.

Munro played seven games last season before departing on the eve of finals, amassing 250 runs including an unbeaten high score of 99. Along with the pre-signing of Munro, a pair of Englishmen in Tom Alsop and Paul Walter were also obtained via the draft.

Much like Munro, the latter is already well known to Heat fans and the wider BBL audience having been a cult figure in last season’s title-winning squad. Alsop is a middle order batter who can keep wicket, acting as a direct replacement for Sydney Thunder draftee and compatriot Sam Billings.

Another relatively fresh face in the squad is young quick Callum Vidler. Best known for being a member of Australia’s victorious Under 19 World Cup squad, Vidler also gained exposure to the BBL last season in two games as a replacement player for the Heat. He’ll look to add to that.

One final addition, and one perhaps under the radar, is that of Jack Wood. The allrounder has been on Brisbane’s list for the last two seasons despite not playing a game, but has experience as a replacement player. He adds batting depth but can also bowl either seamers or wrist spin.

OUTS

Sam Billings (Thunder), Josh Brown (Renegades)

For their two significant losses in the player department, arguably the biggest omission from the Heat’s program last season is coach Wade Seccombe. The title-winning mentor departed for the Renegades alongside Brown, who made a name for himself with big hitting atop Brisbane’s batting lineup.

Seccombe has been replaced by South African Johan Botha as coach, while Brown’s absence will be covered by the full-time presence of Munro. Losing Billings was another blow to the performance and character of the group, but Alsop looms as another boom recruit out of England.

INTERNATIONAL REPS

The Heat have been used having large chunks of their list rendered unavailable throughout the season. That is no different this year, as they boast the most Australian Test representatives of any side with three – captain Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, and stand-in skipper Nathan McSweeney.

McSweeney famously led the Heat to last year’s title in the absence of Khawaja. Former Test batter Matthew Renshaw may fill the void at first drop. Pace duo Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson have been part of the Australian white ball set up, while Michael Neser is recovering from a hamstring injury.

POTENTIAL XI

Excluding Australian Test players

1. Colin Munro
2. Jimmy Peirson (wk)
3. Matthew Renshaw
4. Tom Alsop
5. Max Bryant
6. Paul Walter
7. Michael Neser
8. Xavier Bartlett
9. Spencer Johnson
10. Mitchell Swepson
11. Matthew Kuhnemann

FIXTURES

vs. Melbourne Stars
Wednesday September 18 @ MCG

vs. Adelaide Strikers
Sunday December 22 @ The Gabba

vs. Perth Scorchers
Thursday December 26 @ Perth Stadium

vs. Sydney Sixers
Sunday December 29 @ The Gabba

vs. Melbourne Stars
Wednesday January 1 @ The Gabba

vs. Sydney Sixers
Friday January 3 @ C.ex International Stadium

vs. Sydney Thunder
Monday January 6 @ The Gabba

vs. Adelaide Strikers
Saturday January 11 @ Adelaide Oval

vs. Hobart Hurricanes
Thursday January 16 @ The Gabba

vs. Melbourne Renegades
Saturday January 18 @ Marvel Stadium

PUT IT IN YOUR DIARY

Brisbane is blessed with an array of marquee fixtures this season. It all gets underway against Melbourne Stars in an away trip slated for September 18. The Heat’s first home game comes just a few days later against Adelaide Strikers at The Gabba – a rematch of last season’s Challenger bout.

All eyes will be on the pair of Grand Final rematches against Sydney Sixers, though. The home and return legs will be played within days of each other, with Brisbane hosting first on December 29 before heading to Coffs Harbour on January 3. Between those fixtures is a New Year’s Day clash with the Stars.

SEASON PREDICTION

Ladder range: 1-4

Having featured in the last two Finals, there is no reason why Brisbane cannot compete for a third title. Winning two-consecutively would be a first for the franchise, though it has been done before by other sides. The Heat boast a settled and deep bowling attack and have been shrewd to sign strong batting depth to account for its losses of key personnel. They set the benchmark last time out and may well do it again in 2024/25. If all goes to plan, they’re a genuine finals lock.