Heat re-sign international star

World No.1 ranked Twenty20 international bowler Samuel Badree will again be spinning his web at the Gabba this summer, after Heat coach Daniel Vettori confirmed the West Indies leg-spinner has re-signed for the upcoming KFC Big Bash League season.

Badree will join former New Zealand skipper Brendon McCullum as Brisbane’s two international imports for BBL|06.

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While Badree didn't pick up a wicket until his fourth game in the teal in BBL|05, he made up for lost time, soaring to the top of the BBL Official Player Rankings with a series of good performances including a match-winning 5-22 against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG.

He followed it up with a strong World T20 campaign, taking nine wickets including 3-12 against Sri Lanka and 2-16 against England in the final.

It was similarly a tale of two seasons for the Heat, who failed to click early in the season, losing their first four games.

But they too found their rhythm as the season wore on – thanks largely to Chris Lynn’s heroics with the bat and Badree’s efforts with the ball – winning three of their final four matches to end the season in sixth spot.

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"We started planning (for BBL|06) almost straight away," Vettori said.

"We realised what we did wrong in our first four games and what we did right in the last four.

"It’s about understanding what’s going to work for the team and the style of game we need to play, and how we can complement the guys who performed really well last year.

"Part of that is the re-signing of Samuel Badree, bringing Alex Ross on board, signing Sam Heazlett and obviously Brendon coming in as well.

"There are a lot of positives, but it’s a matter of how we can maintain what we did back half (of last season) as well."

McCullum was originally due to return to the Gabba last summer for his second stint with the Heat – having played for the club in BBL|01 – but his final summer of international commitments meant Brisbane were forced to wait another year.

Having called time on his New Zealand career in February, McCullum won’t have any such problems this summer and Vettori is looking forward to having his big-hitting former Black Caps teammate at his disposal.

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"Brendon coming in is going to make a huge different, not only for his batting but his leadership and the way he enjoys his cricket. The boys are going to really enjoy having him around.

"The crowds came out to see Chris (Lynn) a lot last year and to add Brendon to the mix, we’re definitely going to get fireworks.

"Add to that Ross, Nathan Reardon, Ben Cutting, it’s not going to be much fun for the bowlers but lot of excitement for the batters."

The Heat had already announced the signing of exciting young South Australia batsman Alex Ross from the Strikers in February and Vettori is looking forward to working with the 24-year-old.

"I knew him when he was seven to nine years old because his father was an assistant coach with New Zealand.

"I’ve bowled to him in a Big Bash game and he’s impressed me through his young career.

"He’s come to Brisbane for a few more opportunities to bat higher up the order and he loves playing at the Gabba.

"He’s a really exciting young batsman to have in the fold and we hope to have him for a long time."