Marnus Labuschagne Signs Contract Extension With Brisbane Heat Ahead Of BBL 2023/24

Published - 07 Jul 2023, 12:43 PM | Updated - 23 Aug 2024, 12:15 AM

Marnus Labuschagne (Image Credit: Twitter)

Australia star Marnus Labuschagne has extended his stay with Big Bash League (BBL) outfit Brisbane Heat. The right-handed batsman has penned a new deal with the franchise ahead of the forthcoming season of Australia’s premier T20 competition.

Labuschagne has been with the Brisbane-based outfit since 2017. However, he has not been able to play too many games for the franchise due to international commitments. To date, he has played only 25 matches for Brisbane Heat and his participation in BBL 2023-24 is also going to be limited just like the other Australian players.

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Australia are set to welcome Pakistan and West Indies in their next home season and Labuschagne is set to be a key member of the team for both the series. Currently the third-ranked Test batsman in the world, Labuschagne has been an integral member of Australia’s Test side since his starring display in Ashes 2019 when he famously replaced Steve Smith as a concussion substitute.

“Marnus is an internationally recognized player, a multi-dimensional and highly under-rated T20 cricketer and someone we always want to be part of our club. We have seen the enormous impact that Marnus can have not only on a match, but more importantly on a season and on the entire squad, even if he’s only available for a few games, so we treated his re-signing as a priority,” said Brisbane Heat coach Wade Seccombe.

“We don’t know yet exactly how many games he’ll be available for given his international commitments, but we know what he’ll bring to the table both on and off the field whenever he puts the Heat jersey on,” Seccombe added.

Marnus Labuschagne’s performance in BBL 2022/23 edition:

Marnus Labuschagne played eight games for Brisbane Heat in the last edition of the BBL. In those eight games, he scored 192 runs with a top score of 73 runs. As far as Brisbane Heat are concerned, they finished runner-up after losing against Perth Scorchers in the final. Labuschagne was not a part of the team for the final as he had to join the Australia squad for the tour of India.

Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has announced a new structure for BBL. From the upcoming edition, a total of 44 games will be played which includes 40 home-and-away matches and a four-game finals series featuring the top four teams. Brisbane Heat and Melbourne Stars will lock horns in the first game of the tournament on December 7.

Brisbane Heat updated squad:

Usman Khawaja (captain), Max Bryant, Spencer Johnson, Matthew Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Will Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee.