Matt Renshaw yet to sign deal to remain with Brisbane Heat next season

Brisbane Heat’s 10 contracted players for next season’s BBL competition don’t include a key trio.

After a “very disappointing” BBL title defence, Brisbane Heat now face the tough battle of retaining the services of key batsman Matt Renshaw.

Having being crowned champions in 2024 and having also made the final the year before, the Heat were expected to again be among the front-runners for this season’s BBL title.

However, they finished second last on the ladder, winning just three of their 10 games and finishing their campaign with three consecutive losses despite making seemingly competitive totals of 195, 201 and 196 in those three defeats.

“It was very disappointing,” star leg-spinner Mitch Swepson said.

“Last year when we won it, we had everything go our way, no injuries, and we rode that luck through the tournament, and this year, you could probably say it was just about the complete opposite.

“We struggled at the start with injuries and even at the back end we lost players, but also, in those tight games, we found ways to not get over the line.

“Our batters, (in) the last three games have been very good for us, and our bowling attack hasn’t been able to defend those (totals), and you need to do that to win games in BBL cricket.”

Matt Renshaw starred with the bat for Brisbane Heat this season. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Swepson is among three high-profile Brisbane players yet to be contracted to the Heat for next season, the other two being Test star Marnus Labuschagne and Renshaw.

Labuschagne, who made only one appearance for the Heat this season, is likely to again sign a one-year deal, while Swepson is also tipped to put pen to paper on a new Brisbane contract in the coming weeks.

However, there is set to battle for the services of 28-year Renshaw, who again impressed with the bat this season.

In nine innings for Brisbane, Renshaw – who batted in the middle order – scored 280 runs at an average of 35 and at a strike rate of 169.69 with a top score of 54.

However, with his three-year deal having expired, the former Test opener is not among the 10 players with a Heat contract for next season.

It’s understood negotiations are ongoing between Renshaw – who has previously played for the Adelaide Strikers – are ongoing, and that a deal could be finalised by next month.

However, Brisbane officials are well aware that Renshaw will also be courted by rival BBL franchises keen to strengthen their own teams.

Renshaw and Swepson. and other Heat players including pacemen Xavier Bartlett and Michael Neser, and wicket-keeper Jimmy Peirson, are set to return to Sheffield Shield action for Queensland next month when the Bulls host NSW at the Gabba from February 8.

Contracted Brisbane Heat players for 2025-26 BBL season: Max Bryant, Xavier Bartlett, Spencer Johnson, Usman Khawaja, Matt Kuhnemann, Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson, Colin Munro, Nathan McSweeney, Callum Vidler.

Originally published as Matt Renshaw yet to sign deal to remain with Brisbane Heat next season