Lachlan Pfeffer might not have expected to play in the BBL this summer, but that’s exactly where the 30-year-old schoolteacher has found himself.
After scoring his maiden BBL half-century for the Brisbane Heat, wicketkeeper-batsman Lachlan Pfeffer could be playing for another franchise this week as the tournament moves to its Melbourne hub.
The 30-year-old made a brilliant and brash 69 from 51 deliveries in the Heat’s eight-wicket loss to the Hobart Hurricanes on Saturday night at the Gabba but said after his knock that he had been told to be ready to join a pool of replacement top-up players who will be available for multiple teams. All eight sides will be based in Victoria after clubs were notified of a revised draw.
The innovative plan by Cricket Australia is designed to minimise further disruption to the BBL as Covid-19 infections cut a swathe through the competition.
“I’m not sure who I may or may not play for or whether I stay on with the Heat. There is a lot of uncertainty with the Big Bash but you’ve got to keep rolling with it,” Pfeffer said.
“I’ve been told that I am going into the pool. I don’t know how it all works but I assume contracted players around the country will be flown into Melbourne and be on standby ready to go, and I believe they can play with any franchise at any given time if needed.
“You might get a few different coloured caps along the way.”
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Pfeffer was one of nine club debutants to play for the Heat in the BBL in the past two matches after 12 players tested positive for Covid.
The Covid situation has severely depleted the Heat’s playing stocks but it has given opportunities to a raft of players.
The 30-year-old Pfeffer, a schoolteacher by trade, has been around a long time and has a first class century to his credit for Queensland Bulls, a neat 50 in the last of his Sheffield Shield games back in 2020.
The last week has been a whirlwind with more adventures to come.
“I was just enjoying my off-season with my wife and kid and we were about to go back to training with the Bulls when I got a call to say that I needed to get a PCR test and that things might be escalating pretty quickly,” he said.
“It was very rushed and very exciting.
“Last year was pretty chaotic with bubbles and I was a part of that. Things change quickly in this environment and last year allowed me to roll with it and focus on the cricket.”
Pfeffer is small in stature but packed a punch with three huge sixes a feature of his knock.
“I am five foot three and weigh 66 kilos so I should be riding at Doomben to be honest,” he grinned.
“My role at Queensland is the back-up keeper. I am behind Jimmy (Peirson) and … I’ve just got to chip away at it and take opportunities when I can.
“I haven’t played in front of this many people before. The atmosphere here at the Gabba is great and it is a beautiful place to play. Playing for the Heat is a goal I wanted to do and it is awesome to contribute.”
Originally published as Big Bash League fairytale for schoolteacher Lachlan Pfeffer
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