West Indies batsman Lendl Simmons has been replaced by New Zealander skipper Brendon McCullum, who opted himself out of the Big Bash League for the Brisbane Heat this season.
McCullum, 34, will not play this year’s Big bash League due to his international commitments, with Black Caps set to host Sri Lanka for two Tests, five ODIs and two T20Is starting from December 10.
BREAKING: Heat sign @westindies batsman Lendl Simmons for #BBL05 as McCullum replacement https://t.co/jzsIiVqQq6. pic.twitter.com/0ZoPdGqOaj
— Brisbane Heat (@HeatBBL) December 2, 2015
Simmons is currently playing away from home at the Bangladesh Premier League for Rangpur Riders, and will be available for the entire BBL season.
The 30-year-old right handed batsman has scored 4119 runs in 145 T20 games in his career, and was a member of the 2012 national team that won the World T20.
The Australian domestic Twenty20 cricket tournament will gets underway on December 17, with Brisbane Heat will play their first match against the Melbourne Renegades on December 19.