Queensland quartet re-sign with Brisbane Heat for WBBL06

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Queensland quartet re-sign with Brisbane Heat for WBBL06

(L-R) Georgia Prestwidge, Courtney Sippel, Mikayla Hinkley, Lilly Mills. © Getty Images/ Women's CricZone

The quartet of Georgia Prestwidge, Mikayla Hinkley, Courtney Sippel and Lilly Mills have re-signed with defending champions Brisbane Heat, the club announced on Thursday (August 20). All four players were part of Heat's second Women's Big Bash League title win last season with the teenage pair of Sippel and Mills making their debuts.

Fast bowler Prestwidge had a wonderful season, taking 11 wickets in 15 matches. She proved to be a tough customer with the new ball, bowling at a good pace and managing to get movement early in the innings.

Hinkley, the middle-order batter, who previously played for Sydney Thunder, Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes, played 15 matches for Heat last season, and added great value with the bat and in the field. Although she got only five opportunities with the bat - three in which she remained unbeaten - Hinkley took seven catches through the team's title-winning campaign.

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Meanwhile, allrounder Sippel, who was part of the squad during WBBL03 and WBBL04, made her first appearance for the club last season against Melbourne Stars. Off-spinner Mills too, played only one game.

Heat head coach Ashley Noffke said the club was excited by the signings and the progress of each of the four players through the off-season.

“Each of the players was able to build on specific things in their own games but also to enjoy the chance to be a part of the action in a championship team,’’ he said.

“Georgia showed a lot of people that she is a real threat with the ball, whether that’s bowling or in the field, and she was a very solid contributor to the team’s unity away from the field. She’ll have an important role again in the team.”

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“Mikayla is a class bat and she is only going to get better with more opportunities. We saw what she was capable of with the Queensland Fire late in the season when she produced a very composed 52 not out in a partnership with Grace Harris to get us a bonus point win over Victoria in a pressure situation."

“We’ve got some specific roles in mind for Courtney and Lilly in the future and their potential is very exciting.”

Heat have now secured the services of 10 players, including their two overseas players, Amelia Kerr and Maddy Green. Jess Jonassen has been named captain of the side.

The defending champions are scheduled to kick off their campaign against Adelaide Strikers at the Allan Border Field on October 17.
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