Queensland veteran Redmayne ready to reign at Heat

Queensland wicketkeeper-batter Georgia Redmayne has been named as Jess Jonassen's successor at Brisbane Heat ahead of Weber WBBL|12.

Redmayne, who led Queensland Fire to their second WNCL title after Jonassen stepped down from her captaincy roles in March, has been confirmed as the Heat's skipper.

The 32-year-old is hoping to help the Heat rise up the WBBL standings after they became the first team to complete a winless season last year.

"We didn’t perform to our expectations last year, but I was encouraged by the resilience and fightback from the core of the Queensland group to bounce back and win the WNCL," Redmayne said in a statement.

"We have a lot to be excited about from developing the players within our group and what we can achieve this season, as well as drawing from the experience of senior players like ‘JJ’ (Jess Jonassen), Grace Harris, Charli Knott and our internationals."

Jonassen had led the club in 81 WBBL matches since title-winning skipper Kirby Short retired in 2020.

Under the spin-bowling allrounder's leadership, the Heat made finals in her first five seasons as captain.

The veteran was at the helm for heart-breaking losses in back-to-back season deciders against Adelaide Strikers (WBBL|09 in 2023) and Melbourne Renegades (WBBL|10 in 2024).

A shoulder injury caused the 33-year-old to miss the final three games of WBBL|11 as the Heat missed the finals for the first time since the 2017-18 season.

While promising allrounder Knott took the reins in Jonassen's absence last year, Heat coach Mark Sorell said Redmayne's results as Fire skipper had played a part in the club's decision.

"She is a team player and a natural leader, so she understands what needs to be done for the group," he said.

"Her efforts as a captain of Queensland have been first rate and we know how determined ‘Red’ is as an individual. We think we are in very safe hands with her."

Redmayne joins Delissa Kimmince, Short, Knott and Jonassen to lead the WBBL team in teal.

She has played 87 games for the club scoring 2174 runs, including 14 half-centuries.

The Heat have locked in nine of an allocated 15 players available on a WBBL squad's primary list, adding Irish young gun Orla Prendergast to the club.

English spinner Sarah Glenn has also signed on with the Heat for a full Big Bash campaign, following impressive performances as an overseas replacement player in WBBL|11.

Brisbane Heat's WBBL|12 squad (so far)

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

 

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

 

Coach: Mark Sorell