Dooley to boost Heat batting

CRICKET: Brisbane Heat coach Peter McGiffin said Australia A wicketkeeper Josie Dooley gives his side another batting option after naming her in the squad to face the Perth Scorchers and Sydney Thunder at North Sydney Oval today and tomorrow.

Dooley returns from a broken finger and replaces teenager Charli Knott in the 13player squad.

She missed last weekend’s big loss to the Adelaide Strikers in the opening round of the Women’s Big Bash League.

Brisbane finished well adrift of the Strikers’ total despite unbeaten half centuries from Beth Mooney and captain Kirby Short.

But McGiffin said Dooley, who played for the Cricket Australia XI in T20 tour matches against New Zealand and Australia in October and toured India with Australia A last month, added a new dimension to the squad.

In tomorrow’s clash, Sydney Thunder will include Indian all-rounder Harmanpreet Kaur in their squad.

Kaur missed the side’s opening weekend victory over the Melbourne Renegades but has arrived in Sydney ready to go against the Heat.

Rene Farrell said she had no concerns about Kaur settling back into the squad.

“Great players are able to adjust and I think she is one of the great players in world cricket at the moment,” she said.

“She’s a fantastic bat. I’ve had the opportunity to bat with her a couple of times and she really plans out her overs.

“She brings a lot of experience and a lot of knowledge.”