Brisbane Heat star Matt Renshaw announces the birth of his ‘little sweetheart’

Brisbane Heat batsman Matt Renshaw has extra reason to celebrate the start of the BBL season this week – announcing the birth of his “little sweetheart”

It has been a slightly different start to the summer of cricket for batsman Matt Renshaw.

The Brisbane Heat star welcomed his first child, a daughter named Charlotte Maria Renshaw, on Tuesday – the same day that the BBL season officially began.

Renshaw, who has played in 11 test matches for Australia, ruled himself out of the Heat’s opening game in Cairns on Thursday in order to be in Brisbane with wife Josie for their daughter’s birth.

Matt and Josie Renshaw welcomed their first child, a daughter named Charlotte, on December 13. Photo: Instagram

Matt Renshaw with newborn daughter, Charlotte, born on December 13. Photo: Instagram

He announced the news in an Instagram post on Thursday, ahead of the game, sharing a photo of himself cradling his newborn daughter.

“Welcome to the world Charlotte Maria Renshaw,” he wrote. “Our little sweetheart.”

Matt and Josie tied the knot at a stunning Sunshine Coast hinterland ceremony in May 2021, a year after the cricketer popped the question during a backyard picnic at the couple’s Wavell Heights home in Brisbane’s northside.

They had first met at a barbecue at Bribie Island in 2016.

“Josie is amazing,” Renshaw said at the time.

Matt and Josie Renshaw welcomed their first child, a daughter named Charlotte, on December 13. Photo: Instagram

“She’s always kept me grounded … getting time away from cricket with her is special and a lot of what she does is distract me from the stress.

“It’s nice to have someone like her around, someone who is as caring and loving as her.”

The couple announced in June that they were starting a family.

Brisbane Heat are next due to play the Melbourne Renegades in Geelong on Wednesday before their first home game at The Gabba on December 23.