Assad Vala invited to train with the Brisbane Heat

Source: Cricket PNG

The victorious Country Inferno’s team

Source: Cricket PNG

Brisbane Heat & Queensland Bulls coach, Darren Lehman has invited Assad Vala to train with the Brisbane Heat over the course of the Big Bash League 2 season. The stylish & explosive PNG Barramundi’s left-handed opener caught the eye of the former Australian Test & ODI cricketer who is now the coach for the Queensland Bulls & the Brisbane Heat during the three matches he played for the Country Inferno’s. 

“Assad was very good in the T20 Challenge and we explored the possibility of getting him in the sup list but that wasn’t possible this time” said Lehmann 

“He’s an experienced international player and this will be a good chance for him to rub shoulders with the group and see how things work first hand. Hopefully it will assist him and PNG cricket when he next plays for the Barramundi’s” 

Vala was impressive in his several performances for the Country Inferno’s which included a blistering 50 off 30 balls in their second match. The Inferno’s went on to win the KFC T20 challenge in their inaugural appearance. 

“This is great news for Assad & for Cricket PNG” said an overjoyed Peter Anderson who is the head coach of the PNG Barramundi’s “It’s great to see his hard work pay off and now this opens up doors for bigger and better things for not only Assad but for the other players coming through.” 

“He will have the opportunity to mix around with the stars of international cricket with the likes of Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson & Ryan Harris who have all played test cricket for Australia as well as the other international stars like Daniel Vettori (NZ), West Indian quick, Kemar Roach & Thisara Perera from Sri Lanka. Will be good for him as he can bring back what he has learned back into the Barras environment.” 

The Heat finalised their 18-man player list on Sunday with the announcement of Chris Sabburg being the 18th contracted player for the Brisbane Heat. 

They open their KFC T20 Big Bash League campaign on Sunday 9th December 2012 at the Gabba, playing against the recently retired Ricky Ponting-led Hobart Hurricanes from 5pm. The Heat have now signed Dan Vettori (New Zealand international), Alister McDermott, Nathan Hauritz, Dan Christian, Ryan Harris, Ben Cutting, Luke Pomersbach, Chris Lynn, Joe Burns, James Hopes, Chris Hartley, Shane Watson, Kemar Roach (West Indies international), Peter Forrest, Cameron Gannon, Mitchell Johnson, Andrew Robinson, Chris Sabburg and Thisara Perera (Sri Lankan international) as their recruits for BBL|02.

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