Khawaja confirmed for another Big Bash summer with Heat

Former Australia Test opener Usman Khawaja won't be in the whites this summer, but he will continue to wear teal for the Brisbane Heat.

Khawaja, who was out of contract after his four-year deal expired at the end of last season, has re-signed with the Heat for KFC BBL|16.

The 39-year-old retired from international cricket following the Sydney Ashes Test in January, before he confirmed his first-class career was over when Queensland's Sheffield Shield campaign ended in March.

While the left-hander did not re-sign with the Heat during the nine-day player movement window succeeding BBL|15, it's understood Khawaja wanted to resume his BBL career at the club once the league-wide contracting embargo was lifted last month.

The 88-game Test player is looking forward to playing a full Big Bash season having called time on his 15-year international career.

"It's going to be a bit strange, but very exciting as well, to be at the Gabba for the first game of our season on 15 December," Khawaja said.

"In the past it has been a few games here or there, depending on the Australian team's commitments, which has been enjoyable. But the prospect of a full competition is even better."

Khawaja started his Big Bash career at the Sydney Thunder before making the move to Brisbane in 2022.

He's led the team when available between national commitments, including their final three games of BBL|15. But under new head coach James Hopes, the Heat are yet to confirm their captain for the upcoming season.

Hopes predecessor, former South Africa captain Johan Botha, named Khawaja as a prime candidate to be the team's 'designated batter' under new rules to be introduced this summer. While not mandatory, Big Bash clubs will now have the option to nominate one designated batter in their XI before the toss. That player can bat, but will not be permitted to field or bowl.

The new rule will be implemented across both men's and women's Big Bash Leagues, and could help extend the career's of the league's ageing stars by allowing for greater player management.

Across 73 Big Bash matches, Khawaja is among the top 20 run-scorers in the competition's history with 2240 at a strike rate of 132.54, with 15 scores of fifty or more, including two centuries.

He played a lead role in the Thunder's maiden title in BBL|05, scoring 104 not out off 59 balls in the semi-final against Adelaide Strikers, followed by 70 off 40 in their triumph over Melbourne Stars in the final.

His signature follows the news that fan favourite and Aussie quick Michael Neser has re-signed with Brisbane until the end of BBL|17.

The club have also lured two internationals to their roster for this season, acquiring promising New Zealand batter Tim Robinson and veteran England seamer Tom Curran.

Australian Test star Marnus Labuschange remains uncontracted ahead of BBL|16, with Australia's five-Test tour of India from mid-January next year potentially limiting Labuschagne's Big Bash availability.

The Heat retained the maximum number of 10 players from last season prior to the embargo coming into force, but have now signed 14 of an allocated 18 players allowed on their primary list.

Brisbane Heat's BBL|16 squad (so far)

Contracted for BBL|16: Xavier Bartlett (BBL|18), Max Bryant (BBL|18), Tom Curran (BBL|16), Lachlan Hearne (BBL|16), Spencer Johnson (BBL|17), Usman Khawaja (BBL|16), Matt Kuhnemann (BBL|16), Nathan McSweeney (BBL|16), Michael Neser (BBL|17), Matthew Renshaw (BBL|17), Tim Robinson (BBL|16), 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), Marnus Labuschagne, Colin Munro (New Zealand), Oli Patterson, Jimmy Peirson, Jack Wood

 

Head coach: James Hopes