Amelia Kerr returns to Brisbane Heat for upcoming WBBL

New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr, who had exited the Women’s Big Bash League due to a mental health reasons, returned to her team Brisbane Heat to resume her association. Kerr was a key member of the Heat’s title-winning team in the fifth edition of the WBBL, and continued to play for the side in the next edition as well, but left the community in shock when she pulled out of the national side as well as the seventh edition of the WBBL in mid-2021.

Kerr has been an outstanding performer for the Brisbane Heat and has scalped 31 wickets in the 30 games at an exceptional economy rate of 5.80. Kerr had revealed that she had been going through mental health issues even during the 2020 season of WBBL. She reached a state of mind where she could not battle it any longer, and thus the decision of pulling out of the sport in all formats.

“We’re excited to have her back in the squad this summer and I think her experience and insights will be very valuable for the group. Her batting during the World Cup was impressive in spite of some challenging conditions and it will be great to see her continue to develop her skills further. Our young players will really enjoy the chance to learn from ‘Melie’ as they play alongside her,” Brisbane Heat coach Ashley Noffke was quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

I’m looking forward to coming back to Brisbane and having some fun: Kerr

Kerr returned to the sport before the Women’s World Cup which was held in March-April 2022. She had a good run throughout the event scoring 201 runs and scalping nine wickets in the seven games that she appeared in. Upon her return to the WBBL, Kerr said:

“Ash and the team were in regular contact while I was having a break, and the Heat have been nothing but supportive. I kept an eye on how they went last year and so I’m looking forward to coming back to Brisbane and having some fun with the Heat girls.”

She was chosen New Zealand Cricket’s female ODI player of the year in April following a season in which she scored 554 runs and took 16 wickets. Before returning to the Brisbane Heat, she will be a part of the London Spirits in The Hundred tournament, and will also represent her national side in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games.