On July 25th, Brisbane Heat announced the signing of three emerging talents; Sianna Ginger, Bonnie Berry, and Mikayla Wrigley, as they move closer to finalizing their squad for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) season. The Heat, who have previously won the WBBL title twice in 2018–19 and 2019–20, are aiming to secure a third trophy.
Ginger, an all-rounder, and Berry, a right-arm medium bowler, both have experience with the Australian Under-19 team. Wrigley, a keeper-batter, is a two-time Kath Smith Medallist. All three have signed their first full contracts with the Heat.
With this, Brisbane Heat is focused on the future by signing local emerging talents to bolster their roster after several high-profile departures.
Ginger, 18, from Townsville, debuted for the Queensland Fire in 2022-23 and has played 13 games in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL), including last season’s final. Berry, an exciting outswing bowler from Emerald, was called into the Heat squad as a replacement player in WBBL|09 but has yet to debut for the club. Wrigley, 20, earned her first Fire contract earlier this year after consistent performances in various competitions, including back-to-back seasons of scoring over 750 runs in the Katherine Raymont Shield.
Brisbane Heat’s WBBL head coach Mark Sorell, who has worked with each of the players in the Queensland pathways system, expressed his delight at adding the talented trio to the Heat’s lineup. He noted that they would bring great energy and positivity to the group while further developing their skills.
“They will bring great energy and positivity to the group, as well as developing their skills further,’’ he said.
Sorell highlighted Bonnie’s persistence in pushing for a chance, Sianna’s readiness to take the next step in her cricketing pathway with the Fire, and Mikayla’s consistent flourishing within their system. He added that the inclusion of a pace bowler, an all-rounder, and another keeper/batter would boost the team’s overall depth and assist with team balance during selections.
“Bonnie has been pushing for a chance for a few seasons now, Sianna has shown with the Fire that she is ready to take the next step on her cricketing pathway and Mikayla has flourished every step of the way in our system so far,’’ he said. “Adding a pace bowler, all-rounder and another keeper/batter is a boost for our overall depth and will assist with team balance when it comes to our selections,” he said.
Brisbane Heat’s WBBL Captain Jess Jonassen expressed her excitement about having the talented trio in the squad, highlighting the Heat’s commitment to providing opportunities. She noted that having three such skilled players choose the Heat is promising for the future.
“It’s awesome to have them in the squad,’’ she said. Further adding, “We are all about opportunity in the Heat, and having three such talented players choosing to take that chance with us bodes well for the future.”
Jonassen acknowledged that opportunities shape the overall squad composition, with players across the country assessing their options and making decisions accordingly. She praised Sianna, Bonnie, and Mikayla for their emergence through regional pathways and expressed confidence in their potential contributions to the Heat this summer.
She stated, “Opportunities shapes your overall squad make-up, and we are seeing players all over the country look at what and where their options are and ultimately make decisions based on that,” and “Having watched Sianna, Bonnie and Mikayla emerge, it is rewarding to see how they have come through the pathways from regional centres. I’ve no doubt they will do well if they are called on for the Heat this summer,” Jonassen said.
Brisbane Heat squad (so far) for WBBL|10: Bonnie Berry, Nadine de Klerk (South Africa), Sianna Ginger, Nicola Hancock, Grace Harris, Laura Harris, Ellie Johnston, Jess Jonassen, Charli Knott, Georgia Redmayne, Mikayla Wrigley
Ins: Nadine de Klerk, Sianna Ginger, Bonnie Berry, Mikayla Wrigley
Outs: Georgia Voll (Thunder), Courtney Sippel (Sixers), Amelia Kerr (Sixers), Mikayla Hinkley (Scorchers), Mignon du Preez