The KFC Big Bash League just got a whole hotter as Brendon McCullum re-joins Brisbane Heat Squad for Big Bash 2015-16/BBL 05. The Brisbane Heat has signed the Kiwi captain for a three-year deal.
McCullum had previously played for the Heat in BBL 01, appearing for 3 games. He will also join fellow Kiwi legend Daniel Vettori with Brisbane Heat. Vettori, who has played with McCullum recently in the ICC World Cup 2015, will be coaching the franchise this year.
Vettori added, “We’ve spoken a lot recently and he’s very pleased with the prospect of returning to the BBL for the Heat. He’s kept an eye on things over the past few seasons so we’re very keen have him back into the fold and enjoy the opportunities that bring. He’s a world-class batsman who has that explosiveness that can change a game. Put him alongside Chris Lynn, Nathan Reardon and Ben Cutting and you have a pretty decent T20 batting line-up.”
Brendon McCullum was recently made an officer of the New Zealand Order of Merit in the Queen’s Birthday Honours list, was a major reason for New Zealand’s journey to the World Cup final in earlier this year.
Brendon McCullum made his ODI debut in 2002 against Australia and his Test debut in 2004 against South Africa. He has been New Zealand ODI captain since 2008 and Test captain since 2012. McCullum is the only batsman to score 2000 runs and hit 2 centuries in T20 internationals.
Apart from this he is also the first Kiwi batsman to hit a triple century in Test history. He scored 302 against India last year. He also hit a then highest T20 score of 158* in the very first match of the Indian Premier League (IPL) in 2008. He repeated this score in the on-going T20 Blast in England.
Considered to be one of the most dangerous openers in T20 matches, he has hit the most- 91 sixes in T20 international matches. McCullum, who is in England to play for Warwickshire in the T20 Blast said excitedly, “When Dan broached the idea of a longer term deal; I was pretty open to things. My wife comes from Lismore and our family have spent a fair bit of time over there during the past few years. “I’m certainly looking forward to linking up with the Heat again,’’
One of the highlights of the BBL 01 was when a quick fire bouncer from pacer Brett Lee broke the grill of McCullum’s helmet and broke his nose. It resulted in one of the worst bloodiest sports injury on the field. The Brisbane Heat has announced 11 player signings so far with leg-spinner Samuel Badree of West Indies being the other international signing.
The Heat’s coach Daniel Vettori will end his playing career after the completion of the ongoing Caribbean Premier League, where he plays for Jamaica Tallawahs.
The current Brisbane Heat squad until now: Samuel Badree (international), Nick Buchanan, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Andrew Fekete, Peter Forrest, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (international) Jimmy Peirson, Nathan Reardon, Mark Steketee.
