Ireland young gun Prendergast to wear teal in WBBL|12

The Brisbane Heat have secured the services of Orla Prendergast for Weber WBBL|12, with the Irish rising star returning to the Big Bash for the first time since 2024.

Prendergast, a right-arm quick and talented top-order batter, is the second overseas signing to the revealed by the Heat, after they last week announced England leg-spinner Sarah Glenn's return.

The club has also indicated that star India batter Jemimah Rodrigues and South Africa allrounder Nadine de Klerk are unlikely to be returning this season, leaving them with a maximum of one overseas slot to fill.

This is the second time Prendergast has appeared in the Big Bash, following a previous stint with the Adelaide Strikers in WBBL|10, where she scoried 110 runs and claimed six wickets across nine matches.

Since then, the 24-year-old has further developed her game to become one of Ireland's leading players.

At the T20 World Cup in the UK in June, she scored 181 runs at a strike rate of 125.69, picked up six wickets across five matches and was named in the official team of the tournament – the second time she had achieved the honour after doing likewise in 2023.

Prendergast was then called up by Welsh Fire in The Hundred as a replacement for an injured Sophie Devine and took 4-18 in just her second game.

"Orla is world-class – you only had to marvel at her performances at the World Cup to know that, and we're thrilled she is coming to the Heat," Heat coach Mark Sorell said in a statement.

"She delivers great versatility for us, bowling up front in the Powerplay or later in the Power Surge, while her batting gives us another strong option in the upper or middle order."

Sorell said the club had taken a slightly different approach to their recruitment of overseas players this season, with international commitments shaping their strategy.

Rodrigues is currently recovering from the hamstring injury that ruled her out of India's Asia Cup campaign, while the availability of South African players may be impacted by their multi-format tour of India which begins four days after the WBBL|12 final.

"We have looked to prioritise skill and availability for the whole tournament when it came to our prime targets," Sorell said.

"As well as being impressive individuals, Orla and Sarah Glenn will be with us for all games plus the finals and we are excited by how we will utilise their skills and experience in our group."

Prendergast joins a young Heat pace attack that also features recent Australia debutant Lucy Hamilton, Sianna Ginger and Lily Bassingthwaite.

Veteran quick Nicola Hancock is out of contract, while the club also had two international pace bowlers on the books last season in de Klerk and West Indian Chinelle Henry.

The contract embargo for WBBL|12 was lifted late last month as a raft of changes to the signing system were confirmed. The overseas player draft was scrapped, and all signings will now be made directly between the club and player.

Clubs are also no longer mandated to sign three overseas players and can use those spots on locals if desired.

Coach: Mark Sorell 

 

Contracted for WBBL|12: Lily Bassingthwaighte, Sarah Glenn (England), Sianna Ginger, Lucy Hamilton, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Orla Prendergast (Ireland), Georgia Redmayne

 

In: Orla Prendergast (Ireland)

 

Uncontracted: Bonnie Berry, Lucinda Bourke, Nicola Hancock, Grace Parsons, Mikayla Wrigley, Annie O'Neil (LRP), Catherine White (LRP), Chinelle Henry (West Indies), Lauren Winfield-Hill (England - ORP), Nadine de Klerk (South Africa), Jemimah Rodrigues (India)