HEAT SET FOR OPENER | Squad Named For Stars Clash

In a new-look Heat squad, Wildermuth, Wood and Prestwidge will each have the chance to add to their respective BBL playing history if chosen in the starting side for the first time since 2022.

Prestwidge played three games in the COVID-affected 2021-22 season, making his debut in a hastily assembled team in Geelong after the bulk of the main Heat squad were sidelined through illness on the Gold Coast.

Wildermuth last played for the Heat in 2022-23 and along with Wood, were part of the squad that claimed the BBL|13 title last season without being called into action.

The Heat has named a 14-man squad for tomorrow, with international batter Colin Munro be assessed before play after reporting tightness in his hamstring during training earlier this afternoon at the MCG.

Dashing South Australian batter Daniel Drew and young Queensland Bulls quick Tom Whitney are among three potential debutants for the Heat after they were included in the squad as Local Replacement Players.

Under the BBL rules, once approved by the League’s Technical Committee, the LRPs must be included in the twelve on match day.

Experienced English keeper/batter Tom Alsop has also been named for the season opener after being chosen by the Heat in the BBL International Player Draft earlier in the year.

Alsop, 28, is a former England U-19 and England Lions representative who has played 100 first class matches and 72 List A matches, as well as 77 career T20 matches where he has a career strike-rate of 130.

An English junior hockey player, this will be his first BBL stint.

Pace bowlers Spencer Johnson (toe) and Michael Neser (hamstring) were unavailable for selection as they return from injury, with both players making sound progress towards a playing return.

Tomorrow's match will be broadcast live on Channel 7 and Foxtel, and streamed on 7 Plus and Kayo Sport. It will be covered on ABC Radio and SEN.

Brisbane will play their first home game on Sunday night at the Gabba against Chris Lynn's Adelaide Strikers, with tickets selling strongly for the clash. Tickets are available now.

KFC Big Bash League

Brisbane Heat v Melbourne Stars

MCG, tomorrow, 6.15pm Qld time.

82. Colin Munro (c)

27. Tom Alsop

19. Xavier Bartlett

17. Max Bryant

96. Daniel Drew (LRP)

30. Matthew Kuhnemann

59. Jimmy Peirson

8. Will Prestwidge

77. Matthew Renshaw

4. Mitchell Swepson

22. Paul Walter

24. Jack Wildermuth

97. Tom Whitney (LRP)

42. Jack Wood