South African stars sign on for WBBL|04

Brisbane Heat have added two South African stars to their roster for the upcoming Rebel WBBL season, signing Sune Luus and Laura Wolvaardt.

Top-order batter Wolvaardt returns for her second summer in teal and this time the 19-year-old will be joined by compatriot Luus, who’ll be appearing in the Women’s Big Bash for the first time.

A leg-spinning allrounder who already has 53 T20Is to her name, Luus will bolster the Heat’s spin stocks and add some flair to their batting line-up.

“Sune is a very exciting prospect,” WBBL Heat coach Pete McGiffin said. “She’s a clever bat who surprises with her power and I really like the way she questions the opposition with the ball. She’s got a lot of experience and will complement the playing group we have really nicely.”

Wolvaardt, South Africa’s ODI player of the year who is also currently in her first year of studying medicine, will hope to make a bigger impact after being available for just six matches last improve on her maiden WBBL campaign.

“I think Laura will benefit greatly from the experience she gained with us last season,’’ McGiffin said. “She probably didn’t get the runs she was hoping for but fitted in with the girls really well and did everything we asked of her.”

“We were pleased to see her produce some good ODI form for South Africa this year too and expect her to hit her straps once she gets here.”

But before the Proteas duo link up with the Heat, they’ll first be lining up against their WBBL teammates and Australian stars Beth Mooney, Delissa Kimmince and Jess Jonassen at next month’s World T20 in the Caribbean.

The Heat have room for one more international on their list, with three spots left to be filled on their 15-player roster.

Heat squad: Jemma Barsby, Haidee Birkett, Josie Dooley, Grace Harris, Sammy-Jo Johnson, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Beth Mooney, Georgia Prestwidge, Kirby Short