ROAD SAFETY CUP LAUNCHED | Heat And Thunder Combine

The Brisbane Heat will be playing for more than two vital KFC Big Bash League points when they host the Sydney Thunder tonight at the Gabba.

The two clubs will put aside the competitive nature of the BBL to jointly promote the message of road safety as the second men’s Road Safety Cup is contested between the Heat and Thunder.

Leading spinners Mitchell Swepson (Heat) and Chris Green (Thunder) will each wear the number '0' on their playing shirts tomorrow, marking the vision of zero lives lost on our roads from both the Queensland and New South Wales State Governments by 2050.

The Road Safety Cup marks an important element of Queensland Cricket’s Major Partnership with TMR (Transport & Main Roads).

The Road Safety Cup is held each BBL and WBBL season, with the Thunder the current holders after defeating the Heat in the WBBL earlier in the season and the Heat holding the Men’s Trophy after defeating the Thunder in December 2023.Queensland Cricket and Brisbane Heat CEO Terry Svenson encouraged Heat fans to use the opportunity of the Road Safety Cup to be aware of their driving behaviour during the summer festive season.

“We know our fans, like most Queenslanders, are enjoying time on holidays or visiting family and friends during the summer, which likely means time on the road. We hope the Road Safety Cup can be a time when we all reflect on road safety and keeping each other safe.

“Road safety is a message that means a lot to Queensland Cricket with our staff based all over Queensland, meaning we spend a lot of time on the road supporting volunteers and clubs. We are proud of our on-going partnership with the Department of Transport and Main Roads and the positive message we are delivering to our fans and community members."

“We encourage all Heat fans to show extra care on the roads during this summer’s festive season and school holidays. Thank you to Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg and his team for your support of the Brisbane Heat and Queensland Cricket and your assistance in promoting this important message to our members and fans.”

Transport and Main Roads Minister Brent Mickelberg offered his support for the Road Safety Cup clash.

“Cricket is such a big part of summer in Queensland, and I’m pleased that our long-term partnership with Queensland Cricket offers this opportunity to put road safety firmly in the spotlight.

"We have just experienced a horrific year on Queensland roads, so anything we can do to remind motorists to be safe on our roads and get home to their families, really matters.

"The Road Safety Cup is a unique way to tap into interstate rivalries while also spreading this important message to the community, and I look forward to seeing the Brisbane Heat retain the Road Safety Cup tomorrow night.”

Heat fans will be treated to a light and fireworks show spectacular during the StreetSmarts Innings Break Show.

The match will be broadcast on Channel 7 and Foxtel and streamed on 7Plus and Kayo Sports as well as covered by ABC Radio and SEN.

KFC Big Bash League

Brisbane Heat v Sydney Thunder

Tonight, 6.15pm (Qld time), the Gabba

82. Colin Munro (capt)

27. Tom Alsop (wk)

18. Xavier Bartlett

17. Max Bryant

45. Spencer Johnson

30. Matthew Kuhnemann

38. Nathan McSweeney

20. Michael Neser

8. Will Prestwidge

77. Matthew Renshaw

4. Mitch Swepson (will wear ‘0’ for the Road Safety Cup)

22. Paul Walter

24. Jack Wildermuth

41. Jack Wood