The Brisbane Heat have finalised their KFC Big Bash League line-up ahead of this month’s tournament opener against the Sydney Thunder at the Gabba with a brace of bowlers rounding out the 18-man squad.
A breakthrough first half of the Marsh Sheffield Shield season for paceman Cameron Gannon has provided a BBL bonus for the Queensland Bulls quick, with coach Darren Lehmann quick to renew ties after previously signing him in BBL|02.
Left-arm Gold Coast spinner Matthew Kuhnemann also returns for a second stint with Brisbane after making his debut for the Heat last summer.
Gannon, 30, is currently the leading wicket-taker in the Sheffield Shield with 23 wickets at 20.69.
Gannon played with the Heat in their BBL|02 championship season in 2012-13 before playing again with the club in 2013-14 (BBL|03) and 2014-15 (BBL|04).
He spent 2016-17 (BBL|05) with the Melbourne Renegades and crossed town in 2016-17 (BBL|06) to play for the Melbourne Stars before re-joining the Heat in 2017-18 (BBL|07).
Gannon as played 16 T20 games for the Heat, including at the 2013-14 Champions League in India, six for the Renegades and one for the Stars.
The 199cm right-arm paceman also played four T20 Internationals for the USA during the winter as part of their ICC Associates World T20 qualifying tournament.
Kuhnemann, 23, played three games for the Heat last season after impressing for Queensland in their limited overs campaign in 2018-19.
The left-arm spinner was a member of the Bulls Marsh Cup squad this season that made the one-day Final late last month at Allan Border Field.
Heat coach Darren Lehmann said he was delighted to welcome Gannon and Kuhnemann back to the club after announcing the signings on the Gold Coast today where the Heat will again play two BBL games at Metricon Stadium.
“They are both good lads and will give our squad depth and variety to match up in all conditions during the BBL,’’ he said.
“Ganno has done wonderfully for the Bulls and has really thrived in that set-up this season, so hopefully this now gives him a great opportunity to execute his skills in the T20 arena again.”
“Matty is a very controlled and efficient left-arm spinner and that always works in your favour when putting together a squad I believe. He’s got plenty of ability and will no doubt be keen to take his game to another level during the BBL.”
“I’m really excited about our group of players and looking forward to getting together soon and putting the finishing touches to preparations ahead of our opening game against the Thunder at the Gabba in less than a fortnight,’’ Lehmann said.
The Heat has announced the following contracted players for BBL|09.
Chris Lynn
Tom Banton (international)
AB de Villiers (international)
Mujeeb Ur Rahman (international)
Zahir Khan (International)
Ben Laughlin
James Pattinson
Max Bryant
Joe Burns
Ben Cutting
Sam Heazlett
Matthew Renshaw
Josh Lalor
Mitch Swepson
Jack Prestwidge
Mark Steketee
Jimmy Peirson
Marnus Labuschagne
Matt Kuhnemann
Cameron Gannon
Rookie: Matt Willans
