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KFC T20 Max Breakout XI: A Launching Pad for T20 Careers

The KFC T20 Max was launched in 2022 as a reinvigorated Queensland Premier Cricket Competition, designed as a platform for aspiring T20 cricketers to showcase their talent and catch the attention of W/BBL franchises.

The tournament has featured top-tier players from Queensland and across Australia, including Usman Khawaja, Jess Jonassen, Mitch Owen, Marnus Labuschagne and Elyse Villani, however the competitions true impact has been providing a platform for hidden and emerging T20 talent.

Previously unknown, but seasoned cricketers including Spencer Johnson and Josh Brown have secured W/BBL and other T20 league deals off the back of standout performances. Players seemingly destined for higher honours such as Australian U19 players Hugh Weibgen, Lucy Hamilton and Tom Whitney have also flourished, playing crucial roles for their clubs and progressing to the W/BBL.

After three years of competition, here is our T20 Max Breakout XI, selected based on players who have launched or accelerated their careers following success in ‘The Max’.

1. Josh Brown – Northern Suburbs / Brisbane Heat-Melbourne Renegades

Brisbane-based Josh Brown was the competition’s early focus. His power game was well known in Queensland Premier Cricket circles and whether his game would stand up at the next level was a point of hot debate. Brown dominated the inaugural T20 Max season, posting scores of 140 and 159 and subsequently earning a Brisbane Heat Local Replacement Player deal. Brown soon cemented himself as a key contributor in the Heat’s BBL title-winning campaign, amassing 366 runs at a strike rate above 150, including a Semi Final Man of the Match 140 (57) against the Adelaide Strikers.

T20 Max: 20 matches, 714 runs @ 38, SR 187

BBL: 32 matches, 807 runs @ 25, SR 151

2. Jack Wood – Ipswich / Brisbane Heat

Jack Wood led Ipswich to the 2023 KFC T20 Max title as the competition’s top run-scorer and most prolific six-hitter. His dominance saw a 2024/25 return to the Brisbane Heat, adding to his two career BBL games. Originally a funky left arm leg spinner, Wood featured in four BBL|14 games at the top of the batting order. His most notable performance being a 45 (27) against the Melbourne Renegades and finishing the competition with a more than respectable 26 average and 136 strike rate.

T20 Max: 19 matches, 713 runs @ 48, SR 151. 11 wickets @ 6.0 econ

BBL (Post T20 Max): 4 matches, 103 runs @ 26, SR 136

3. Nathan McSweeney – Northern Suburbs / Brisbane Heat

Now a household name and a proud owner of a baggy green and BBL title, McSweeney returned to the Northern Suburbs District Cricket Club for the inaugural KFC T20 Max looking to land a BBL deal. McSweeney showcased his class in a formidable opening partnership with Josh Brown, highlighted by a 101 (60) performance against Toombul. His consistent form earned selection for the Brisbane Heat as a Local Replacement Player, where he has since become a key figure in their top order. McSweeney has gone on to score just shy of 600 runs in the past three BBL seasons, captaining the BBL|13 title team.

T20 Max: 9 matches, 319 runs @ 40, SR 134. 14 wickets @ 5.8 econ

BBL (Post T20 Max): 22 matches, 595 runs @ 31, SR 119

4. Emma de Broughe – Valley / Melbourne Renegades

De Broughe has capitalised on her opportunities with Valley in the Women’s KFC T20 Max 2023 and 2024, scoring 297 runs. Her experience saw an improved power game, striking at 160 in 2024. Her performances over two seasons have earned the South Australian her first WBBL contract and a regular spot with reigning WBBL champions Melbourne Renegades. De Broughe featured 12 times across the last two seasons for the Renegades before suffering a competition ending ankle injury.

T20 Max: 9 matches, 297 runs @ 37, SR 124

WBBL:12 matches, 133 runs @ 17, SR 114 

5. Nikhil Chaudhary – Northern Suburbs / Hobart Hurricanes

A consistent performer for Northern Suburbs, Chaudhary’s breakout T20 Max 2023 caught the eye of Hobart Hurricanes coach James Hopes. His Semi Final winning 71 (28) performance led Northern Suburbs to the 2023 T20 Max Final, and 18 months later he found himself a key cog in the Hurricanes’ BBL title-winning campaign. Chaudhary has amassed 386 middle order BBL runs in his first two seasons at an impressive 134 strike rate, as well as contributing with his leg spin.

T20 Max: 18 matches, 469 runs @ 34, SR 176. 16 wickets @ 7.7 econ

BBL Stats: 20 matches, 386 runs @ 24, SR 134. 9 wickets @ 7.7 econ

6. Bevon Jacobs – South Brisbane / New Zealand-Mumbai Indians

New Zealander Jacobs' explosive 100 off 40 balls for South Brisbane in the 2024 T20 Max highlighted his lower order batting power, finishing the competition with 221 runs at a strike rate over 180. Jacobs’ has since earned a call-up to the New Zealand T20I squad for their December 2024 Sri Lanka series and earned a surprise Mumbai Indians 2025 IPL contract, scouted in part from his efforts in Brisbane.

T20 Max Stats: 7 matches, 221 runs @ 32, SR 186

T20 Stats (Outside of T20 Max): 20 matches, 423 runs @ 33, SR 148

7. Lachlan Shaw – Ipswich / Sydney Sixers

Shaw was recruited by Ipswich for T20 Max 2024, scoring nearly 200 runs at a 158 strike rate. His fearless, 360 degree power play approach proved instrumental in Ipswich’s campaign and debuts across all formats for New South Wales and the Sydney Sixers soon followed. Signing as a Local Replacement Player at the Sixers, Shaw continued his fast-paced scoring, striking at 133 through 7 games in BBL|14.

T20 Max : 7 matches, 198 runs @ 28, SR 158

BBL: 7 matches, 73 runs @ 24, SR 133

8. Zak Foulkes – Wynnum-Manly / New Zealand

Zak Foulkes' dominance in the 2022 T20 Max was highlighted by a match-winning 102* off 52, last ball win against Sandgate-Redcliffe. He carried that form into the New Zealand Super Smash, leading Canterbury with 12 wickets at a 7.4 economy, while maintaining a strong lower-order batting presence. His all-round performances cemented his reputation as a rising talent in New Zealand cricket, earning a debut with the Blackcaps in April 2024.

T20 Max: 14 matches, 259 runs @ 22, SR 141. 10 wickets @ 8.5 econ

T20 International: 7 matches, 55 runs @18, SR 149. 9 wickets @ 9.1 econ

9. Sianna Ginger – Valley / Brisbane Heat

The Townsville all-rounder shone in KFC T20 Max 2023, finishing the competition top five in both runs and wickets. Ginger’s 176 run and 8 wicket campaign propelled Valley to the 2023 Final and helped her secure WBBL and state contracts. The 19-year-old has featured in 6 games for the Heat and has become a main stay for the Queensland Fire, playing 12 matches in season 2024/25. Australia A appearances have since followed and Ginger is undoubtedly a star on the rise.

T20 Max: 14 matches, 388 runs @ 35, SR 120. 11 wickets @ 7.7 econ

WBBL:  6 matches, 11 runs @ 3.7, SR 52.

10. Paddy Dooley – Western Suburbs / Hobart Hurricanes

Dooley, who first appeared for the Heat in 2022 during a Covid-impacted season, reignited his career with impressive performances in the 2023 and 2024 KFC T20 Max. Dooley took 16 wickets at an economy rate under seven for his beloved Western Suburbs, earning a BBL contract with the Hobart Hurricanes. His ‘windmill’ action bamboozled opposition in BBL12, finishing with a remarkable 6.6 economy rate and Team of the Tournament selection. Dooley’s time at the Hurricanes has yielded 25 wickets across two seasons.

T20 Max: 16 matches, 16 wickets @ 6.7 econ

BBL (Post T20 Max): 19 matches, 25 wickets, 7.5 econ 

11. Spencer Johnson – Redlands / Brisbane Heat-Australia

After battling injuries early in his career, Johnson’s fortunes changed following the inaugural 2022 KFC T20 Max. The left-arm South Australian quick would team up with Marnus Labuschagne at Redlands, picking up 9 wickets at an economy of just 5.0. Johnson was named in the Team of the Tournament and a Brisbane Heat contract would follow. His rise to prominence with the Brisbane Heat has included 41 wickets, an economy of 7.6 and player of the match BBL13 Final performance. Johnson has gone onto represent Australia at T20 and ODI level, as well as cashing in on T20 league deals globally.

T20 Max: 7 matches, 9 wickets @ 5.0 econ

BBL: 28 matches, 41 wickets @ 7.6

12. Lloyd Pope – Redlands / Adelaide Strikers

A hero of Australia’s 2018 U19 World Cup, Pope’s BBL career plateaued in 2022 following the loss of his Sydney Sixers contract. Joining Redlands for the 2023 KFC T20 Max, he made an immediate impact, finishing as the tournament’s equal second-highest wicket-taker with 15 wickets in seven matches. His resurgence earned him a deal with the Adelaide Strikers, where he has since played 16 consecutive matches and was named in the BBL 14 Team of the Tournament.

T20 Max: 7 matches, 15 wickets @ 5.6 econ

BBL (Post T20 Max): 16 matches, 28 wickets @ 8.9 econ

Current and aspiring W/BBL players are encouraged to nominate for the late August/early September Competition HERE.