Aussie quick recommits to Heat ahead of new BBL season

Brisbane Heat have locked away foundation player and Australia fast bowler Michael Neser until the end of BBL|17.

The 36-year-old has penned a new two-year deal and will return to the Heat for a seventh season this summer, strengthening a star-studded pace attack already featuring fellow Aussie quicks Xavier Bartlett and Spencer Johnson, as well as emerging speedster Callum Vidler.

New Brisbane Heat coach James Hopes said Neser's presence would be a key factor in achieving success this season.

"You look at when the Heat are at their absolute best and (he) is never far away from the action. His presence around the group always helps the players as they strive to be a successful unit," Hopes said.

"It was fantastic to see him enjoy the Ashes victory last season and know that he had brought those same qualities to the Australian team."

Neser sits equal-ninth on the all-time BBL wickets list with 117 scalps.

The Queenslander started his journey with the Heat as a 21-year-old during the inaugural edition of the competition in 2011-12 before joining Adelaide Strikers for nine seasons where he helped them claim their maiden Big Bash title in BBL|07.

After returning to his home state in 2021 for BBL|11, the bowling allrounder produced a career-best 26-wicket season for the Heat in BBL|12 as their men's side reached the final for the first time since BBL|02.

The right-armer took another 12 wickets in BBL|13, including the key wicket of Daniel Hughes in that season's decider as Brisbane defeated Sydney Sixers to win their second title.

The 105-game veteran has played just the six Big Bash matches across the past two seasons due to a left hamstring injury in BBL|14 and national commitments with Australia's Test side last summer.

His availability for BBL|16 will likely hinge on whether he's named in Australia's squad for their upcoming home Test series against New Zealand (December-January), and the subsequent tour of India (January-February).

Neser, who is closing in on 50 games for the Heat, said he hoped to deliver further impactful seasons for the club in BBL|16 and BBL|17.

"As a player, it's always been the best thing about the BBL; there is always the chance to make an impact on the game," he said.

"There's nothing better than being a Heat player at the Gabba when the ground is packed and the crowd is heaving, and you look up in a key moment and know that everyone is right there with you."

Neser is the second Big Bash signing to occur since the league lifted a contracting embargo that had been in place from February, with Melbourne Renegades securing emerging leg-spinner Michael Archer on Friday.

Clubs can now directly sign both domestic and international players to their BBL and WBBL lists, with the new model replacing the overseas player draft, which had been in place for the past three years.

Neser fills the 11th of 18 available spots on the Heat's men's roster for BBL|16.

Brisbane Heat BBL|16 squad (so far): Xavier Bartlett (BBL|18), Max Bryant (BBL|18), Lachlan Hearne (BBL|16), Spencer Johnson (BBL|17), Matt Kuhnemann (BBL|16), Nathan McSweeney (BBL|16), Michael Neser (BBL|17), Matthew Renshaw (BBL|17), Callum Vidler (BBL|16), Hugh Weibgen (BBL|17), Jack Wildermuth (BBL|16)

 

Uncontracted: Shaheen Shah Afridi (Pakistan), Tom Alsop (England), Tom Balkin, Paddy Dooley, Liam Haskett, Zaman Khan (Pakistan), Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Munro (New Zealand), Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Jack Wood

 

Head coach: James Hopes