Hain returns to his roots with Brisbane Heat deal

Sam Hain, the Warwickshire batter who was born in Hong Kong and grew up in Australia, has signed as a replacement player for Brisbane Heat.

Hain represented Queensland and Australia youth teams, including at the 2012 Under-19 World Cup, before forging a career in the UK which has seen him represent England Lions.

He will train with Heat throughout the BBL season and then fill one of the vacancies when Sam Billings and Colin Munro depart for other leagues in early January.

Hain has an impressive T20 record with an average of 36 and strike-rate of 131.47 while in List A cricket has the second-highest average of someone to have played at least 50 innings.

"It's been a few years since I have been back to Queensland, so I've enjoyed re-visiting a lot of the places I remember from growing up,'' he said. "It's been great to catch up with so many of the guys I played with in the Queensland teams and the Gold Coast Dolphins since I have got out here."

"I'm so excited to be able to play in the BBL. It's been a big goal of mine for a few years now and it is a massive thrill be able to be a part of things with Brisbane this summer."

Wade Seccombe, the current Heat and Queensland coach, was in charge of the Queensland U-19 side that Hain was part of in 2011-12.

"Sam was a very talented young player and I know a lot of us at QC were sorry to see him go when he made his call to pursue his options in England," he said. "It will be a great fit to have him back in the group. His playing experience is excellent, especially as a white ball player who knows how to control an innings and make good decisions in the middle."