Joe Denly to join Brisbane Heat for Big Bash

Denly, who has previously featured for Sydney Sixers, will arrive in Australia next week, before serving his fortnight-long mandatory hotel quarantine period and joining his teammates at the start of January

England batsman Joe Denly has joined Brisbane Heat for the remainder of their Big Bash campaign.

He replaces Tom Banton, who withdrew from the competition and was granted release from his contract due to ‘bubble’ fatigue, having spent the majority of his last six months touring in bio-secure environments.

Denly, who has previously featured for Sydney Sixers, will arrive in Australia next week, before serving his fortnight-long mandatory hotel quarantine period and joining his teammates at the start of January.

He will add to an overseas roster featuring left-arm wrist-spinner Zahir Khan and England allrounder Lewis Gregory, with Dan Lawrence by then having departed to link up with England’s Test squad for their series in Sri Lanka.

Denly’s T20 record includes stints in the Pakistan Super League, Bangladesh Premier League and Indian Premier League, as well as 157 appearances in the T20 Blast.

Tom Banton to miss Big Bash, citing fatigue from bio-secure bubbles

Brisbane Heat head coach Darren Lehmann said: “Joe has a reputation of having a cool head in pressure situations and I can see him helping to control our innings, whether chasing or setting a target.

“We have said all along that this year’s BBL is going to be a squad game and we need to be adaptable and confident in our plans.

“As well as his obvious batting skills, Joe can be a good sounding board for our younger players and of course, give his insights around the group. We’re pretty excited to welcome such a classy and well-credentialled player to the club.”

Heat were well beaten in their first match of the tournament against Melbourne Stars, albeit missing several first-choice players. Mark Steketee, Jack Wildermuth, Joe Burns, Mitchell Swepson, Morne Morkel, Marnus Labuschagne, Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Gregory were all absent.

The added losses of Ben Cutting in the off-season and Banton shortly before the competition got underway hindered them further.

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