Brisbane Heat BBL 2026-27 Squad, Players & Latest Signings

Brisbane Heat have 15 confirmed primary-squad players for BBL|16 after re-signing wicketkeeper Jimmy Peirson for his 13th Big Bash season. Peirson has played 124 matches for the club and joins a squad featuring Usman Khawaja, Matthew Renshaw, Xavier Bartlett and new overseas recruits Tom Curran and Tim Robinson.

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New Zealand batter Bevon Jacobs will separately cover Curran’s opening three-match absence as an International Replacement Player. James Hopes is the new head coach, while Brisbane’s captain has not yet been confirmed.

The Heat have three primary roster vacancies, including one overseas position. See the latest BBL 2026-27 squads for all eight teams.

Brisbane Heat BBL|16 at a glance

The Brisbane Heat are one of eight teams competing in BBL|16. The club will play ten regular-season matches, with the top four teams progressing to the finals.

Who is in the Brisbane Heat squad for BBL 2026-27?

Brisbane Heat have 15 players contracted to their primary BBL|16 squad. Jimmy Peirson is the latest addition, returning as the club’s most experienced wicketkeeper. Tom Curran and Tim Robinson hold the two confirmed overseas primary contracts, while Bevon Jacobs is a temporary international replacement for Curran’s opening three matches.

You can compare the Heat list with all eight clubs on the BBL 2026-27 squad page.

Jimmy Peirson re-signs with Brisbane Heat for BBL|16

Jimmy Peirson has re-signed with Brisbane Heat for the Big Bash League 2026-27, extending his association with the club to 13 seasons.

The experienced wicketkeeper has played 124 BBL matches for Brisbane, making him the most-capped player in the Heat’s men’s history. He was also the first Brisbane Heat men’s player to reach 100 appearances.

Peirson has previously captained the Heat and is approaching 2,000 career runs and 100 dismissals for the club.

His return addresses Brisbane’s need for a specialist wicketkeeper and adds leadership experience under new coach James Hopes. Peirson joins a batting group featuring Usman Khawaja, Matthew Renshaw, Max Bryant, Nathan McSweeney and Tim Robinson.

His new contract takes the Heat to 15 confirmed primary players, leaving three roster positions available.

The official Brisbane Heat announcement confirms his return for BBL|16.

Brisbane Heat replacement player arrangement

Jacobs’ temporary agreement does not add another permanent primary-list place. Brisbane have 15 primary-squad players, including Curran, with three roster vacancies and one primary overseas position available.

What has changed for Brisbane Heat ahead of BBL|16?

Jimmy Peirson’s return is Brisbane Heat’s latest confirmed squad update ahead of BBL|16. His re-signing gives James Hopes an experienced wicketkeeper and former club captain.

Earlier overseas recruits Tom Curran and Tim Robinson remain important additions. Bevon Jacobs will temporarily replace Curran during the first three matches, with the England allrounder expected to return for the Boxing Day clash against Sydney Sixers.

The most recent development is Bevon Jacobs’ temporary arrival, which gives Brisbane added batting power while Tom Curran is unavailable.

New Zealand’s Tim Robinson remains the other major overseas batting recruit. His arrival gives Brisbane a specialist top-order option, while Jacobs can operate either near the top or as an aggressive finisher during his short stint.

James Hopes has also replaced Johan Botha as head coach, bringing the former Heat captain back to the club.

Brisbane retain a pace group featuring Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Michael Neser and Jack Wildermuth. Usman Khawaja has re-signed for the season, although the club has not yet confirmed its BBL|16 captain.

Who are Brisbane Heat’s new overseas signings?

Tom Curran

Tom Curran gives Brisbane Heat an experienced pace bowler who can also contribute late in an innings. The England all-rounder has previously represented Sydney Sixers and Melbourne Stars in the Big Bash.

Curran joined the Heat after taking 72 wickets in his first 52 BBL matches. His record includes figures of 4-10 for Melbourne Stars during BBL|15. He also brings experience from almost 300 professional T20 matches.

Brisbane signed Curran under the direct-signing system introduced for BBL|16. The overseas player draft is not being used this season. His arrival adds another experienced option to a pace group containing Bartlett, Johnson, Neser, Vidler and Wildermuth.

Curran will not be available for Brisbane’s first three BBL|16 matches because of family commitments. Bevon Jacobs has been signed as an International Replacement Player during that period, with Curran expected to join the Heat ahead of their Boxing Day clash against Sydney Sixers.

Tim Robinson

Tim Robinson is a right-handed top-order batter from New Zealand. BBL|16 will be his first season in the Big Bash League.

The Wellington batter has shown that he can score quickly against international and domestic attacks. His recent performances include an unbeaten 106 from 66 balls for New Zealand against Australia and a career-best Super Smash score of 139 from 64 deliveries.

Brisbane Heat have signed Robinson for the entire BBL|16 competition. That full-season availability could make him an important top-order option if Australian internationals or additional signings are unavailable.

Bevon Jacobs joins Brisbane Heat for three BBL|16 matches

Bevon Jacobs has earned his first Brisbane Heat opportunity after building a reputation as an attacking batter in New Zealand and Australian domestic T20 cricket.

Jacobs adds an attacking batting option during Curran’s absence. Their roles differ: Jacobs is a specialist batter, while Curran contributes seam bowling and lower-order runs.

For Brisbane, Jacobs offers a different skill set from Curran. The England international is primarily a seam-bowling allrounder, while Jacobs is an aggressive specialist batter who can play through the middle order or finish an innings.

The replacement therefore changes Brisbane’s batting and bowling balance during the first three matches rather than providing a direct like-for-like substitute.

The official Brisbane Heat announcement confirms his temporary signing.

Will Usman Khawaja captain Brisbane Heat in BBL|16?

Usman Khawaja has re-signed as a Brisbane Heat player, but the club’s BBL|16 captain had not been announced in the sources checked on 5 November 2026. His playing contract confirms his return without establishing a new leadership appointment.

Khawaja expects to be available for the full competition after retiring from international and first-class cricket. James Hopes takes charge as head coach, with Jimmy Peirson also returning to the squad.

Who is the new Brisbane Heat coach?

James Hopes is the Brisbane Heat head coach for BBL|16. The former Heat captain signed a three-year coaching deal in June 2026 and will also lead the Queensland Bulls program.

Hopes replaces Johan Botha, who resigned after two seasons. Brisbane finished outside the finals in both seasons under Botha following their BBL|13 championship under Wade Seccombe.

Hopes was a foundation Brisbane Heat player and previously worked with the club as an assistant coach. His more recent coaching experience includes roles with Hobart Hurricanes, Tasmania and several overseas T20 teams. Brisbane Heat announced his appointment on 26 June 2026.

Which Brisbane Heat players are currently uncontracted?

The following players appeared for Brisbane Heat or were associated with the club during BBL|15 but are not on the confirmed BBL|16 primary roster.

An uncontracted player can still agree a new deal with Brisbane or another club. The status means the player is outside the currently announced BBL|16 primary list; it does not establish retirement or permanent unavailability.

Are Marnus Labuschagne and Shaheen Afridi in the Heat squad?

Labuschagne’s previous one-year deal expired after BBL|15. Shaheen also remains outside Brisbane’s current primary list. Neither has a confirmed BBL|16 Heat contract in the announcements checked.

Where does Brisbane Heat’s squad look strongest?

Brisbane Heat have strong fast-bowling depth through Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Michael Neser, Jack Wildermuth and Callum Vidler. Tom Curran will add overseas pace experience when he becomes available after the opening three matches.

The batting includes Usman Khawaja, Matthew Renshaw, Max Bryant and New Zealand recruit Tim Robinson. Bevon Jacobs provides temporary power-hitting cover during Curran’s absence.

Wicketkeeping: Jimmy Peirson’s return gives Brisbane an experienced specialist wicketkeeper, resolving a major gap in the earlier squad.

Captaincy: The club has not yet confirmed its BBL|16 captain.

With 15 confirmed players, Brisbane have three primary roster places available, including one overseas position.

When do Brisbane Heat play in BBL 2026-27?

Brisbane Heat play ten regular-season matches between 15 December 2026 and 17 January 2027. Five matches are at the Gabba and five are away.

Which BBL|16 matches can Bevon Jacobs play?

Bevon Jacobs is contracted to cover Brisbane Heat’s first three matches before Tom Curran becomes available.

The three-match agreement makes Jacobs an option for Brisbane’s opening fixtures, but selection in the playing XI will still depend on James Hopes and the club’s match-day plans.

Tom Curran is expected to return against his former club Sydney Sixers on Boxing Day.

Match times in Australian, Indian and Pakistan time are available in the BBL 2026-27 schedule.

You can also download the complete BBL|16 fixture PDF.

Which Brisbane Heat matches stand out?

Australian season opener against Sydney Sixers

Brisbane Heat host Sydney Sixers at the Gabba on 15 December. It is the first BBL|16 match played in Australia, three days after Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers open the tournament in Chennai.

The game will also be James Hopes’ first match as Brisbane Heat head coach.

Boxing Day trip to the SCG

Brisbane travel to the SCG to face Sydney Sixers on 26 December, with Tom Curran expected to join the Heat after missing the opening three fixtures due to family commitments.

The match could mark the first opportunity to see Curran in a Brisbane Heat shirt following his transfer from Melbourne Stars.

New Year’s Day at the Gabba

Brisbane Heat host Hobart Hurricanes on 1 January 2027. The Hurricanes won BBL|14 and reached the finals again in BBL|15.

Two matches against the defending champions

Brisbane face defending champions Perth Scorchers twice in five days. The first match is at Optus Stadium on 4 January, followed by the return fixture at the Gabba on 8 January.

Final regular-season match

Brisbane Heat host Sydney Thunder on 17 January in the last match of the BBL|16 regular season. The fixture could affect the final top-four positions if the Heat remain in finals contention.

The match dates and venues were checked against the Brisbane Heat BBL|16 fixture announcement.

How did Brisbane Heat perform in BBL|15?

Brisbane Heat finished fifth in BBL|15 and missed the finals. They won five and lost five of their ten matches, collecting ten points with a net run rate of -0.431.

Brisbane remained in finals contention until the final regular-season match. Their most memorable performance was a BBL-record chase against Perth Scorchers at the Gabba.

The Heat reached 2-258 after Perth scored 257. Matthew Renshaw and Jack Wildermuth added 212 runs, the highest partnership in BBL history at the time. Both players scored centuries in the same innings.

How many Big Bash titles have Brisbane Heat won?

Brisbane Heat have won two men’s Big Bash League championships.

Their first title came in BBL|02, when they defeated Perth Scorchers in the final. Brisbane won their second championship in BBL|13 after beating Sydney Sixers at the SCG.

The Heat reached the BBL|12 final between those two championship seasons but finished as runners-up.