Kerr is the club's first international signing ahead of the new season. © Getty

Defending champions Brisbane Heat have acquired the services of New Zealand all-rounder Amelia Kerr for the upcoming season of Women's Big Bash League 2019, the club announced on Sunday (August 25). It is also the club's first international signing ahead of the new season.

"A lot of the White Ferns players have had the chance to play in the WBBL and I know it is highly regarded around the world. Now I have the chance to play and I'm confident it's going to be a great experience." Kerr said.

"I've watched it regularly at home and was seriously impressed at the way the Heat won the title last year," the all-rounder added.

Kerr, 18, made her T20I debut for New Zealand in 2016 against Pakistan and returned with impressive figures of 3/16 on her maiden outing. She's featured in 24 T20I games so far and has picked up 23 wickets, averaging 22.52 at an economy of under 6 runs an over. She's also proved her credentials with the bat having gone on a record-breaking spree in June 2018 breaching Belinda Clark's 21-year-old record for the highest individual score in Women's cricket, smashing an unbeaten 232 against Ireland.

"Anyone who has followed cricket would be aware that Amelia is a pretty special talent. We've enjoyed having her with the Queensland Fire squad this week and she demonstrated quite quickly how focused and determined she is," said Heats' coach Ashley Noffke.

"It's exciting to welcome her into our club and we're looking forward to seeing her in action when the season gets underway soon," Noffke concluded.