New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr took a break from the game to manage her mental health. She had skipped last year’s campaign. Now she will return to Brisbane Heat for next season’s WBBL.

Legspinner Kerr has taken 31 wickets in 30 matches for the Heat with an impressive economy rate of 5.80. And will be able to resume a very strong spin-bowling combination with Jess Jonassen.

“We are excited to have him back on the team this summer. And I think his experience and insight will be very valuable to the group,” Heat coach Ashley Knopke said. “Our young players will really enjoy the opportunity to learn from him as they play with him.”

Kerr said: “Ash and the team were in regular contact while I was taking a break. And the Heat have been nothing but helpful. I kept track of how they went last year and so I look forward to coming back to Brisbane. And having some fun with the Heat Girls.”

In an interview with ESPNcricinfo ahead of this year’s ODI World Cup in New Zealand, Kerr elaborated on his experience with mental health, which came to the fore in mid-2021. Due to this she missed the tour of England as well as the WBBL.

“It was extremely difficult,” she said. “It just felt so suffocating. I couldn’t sleep at all and I think the lack of sleep obviously doesn’t help, but I felt like I was wasting. – Were drowning – that’s what it felt like.”

Amelia Kerr enjoyed scintillating form in the World Cup and although he fell somewhat short during the event, he still scored 201 runs at 33.50 and took nine wickets at 31.77 in seven matches.

The Heat currently have eight of their squads for the next season. Which includes prolific top-order batsman Georgia Redmayne and talented youngster Georgia Woll.