HEAT SET FOR WBBL OPENER

ICC World Cup team of the tournament players Jemimah Rodrigues (India) and Nadine de Klerk (South Africa) have been selected in the squad of 13 after arriving in Brisbane late this week.

Both players were involved in last Sunday’s World Cup Final won by India for the first time.

They will be joined by West Indian allrounder Chinelle Henry for her first game in the Big Bash with the clash against the Renegades the opening game of a WBBL double-header tomorrow at Allan Border Field.

Leg-spinner Grace Parsons has been replaced in the Heat squad for WBBL|11 by former Adelaide Strikers batter Annie O’Neil who has been approved by the WBBL Technical Committee as a Local Replacement Player (LRP).

After taking a break from cricket earlier in the year on medical advice, Parsons continues her build-up to an anticipated return to play later in the season.

The Heat have confirmed she will miss the WBBL competition, but she has recently returned to bowling in the nets as she works towards playing again early next year.

O’Neil, a stand-out performer in the KFC T20 Max earlier this season, has since relocated to Brisbane and made her WNCL debut for the Queensland Fire in September as well as playing for the Heat in the T20 Spring Challenge in the past fortnight.

O’Neil, 26, would make her Heat debut if chosen in tomorrow’s starting after previously playing 10 games for the Strikers.

Australian allrounder Grace Harris was unavailable for selection as she nears a return from the calf injury that ruled her out of the World Cup prior to its start last month.

Recently signed batter Mikayla Wrigley will also miss the game as she returns from an ankle injury sustained during the T20 Spring Challenge.

As well as O’Neil, West Indian allrounder Chinelle Henry, pace bowlers Bonnie Berry and Lily Bassingthwaighte and left-hand batter Lucy Bourke are all in line to make their WBBL debuts for the Heat if chosen in the starting side on Sunday.

The grand final rematch starts at 12.40pm Qld time, with the match broadcast on Channel 7 and 7Plus, Foxtel and streamed on Kayo.

Weber Women’s Big Bash League

Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Renegades

Allan Border Field, 12.40pm tomorrow

21. Jess Jonassen (c)

22. Lily Bassinghthwaighte

2. Bonnie Berry

7. Lucy Bourke

11. Sianna Ginger

5. Lucy Hamilton

44. Nicola Hancock

48. Chinelle Henry (Int)

32. Nadine de Klerk (Int)

88. Charli Knott (v-c)

18. Annie O’Neil (LRP)

8. Georgia Redmayne

50. Jemimah Rodrigues (Int)

12th player to be named

Coaching staff: Mark Sorell, Jeff Thomas, Leteysha Randall.

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