Amelia Kerr will play for the defending champions Brisbane Heat in this year's Women's Big Bash League in Australia.

The 18-year-old White Ferns allrounder is recognised as one of world cricket's most promising talents and Heat coach Ashley Noffke was delighted to have signed the Wellington youngster for their 2019 Twenty20 campaign.

"Anyone who has followed cricket would be aware that Amelia is a pretty special talent," he said.

"We've enjoyed having her with the Queensland Fire squad this week and she demonstrated quite quickly how focused and determined she is."

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Kerr, a legspinner and attacking lower-order bat, has played 29 one-day internationals and 24 T20 matches already for New Zealand. She became the youngest cricketer to score an international double century with when she did so against Ireland in June last year in an ODI match in which she also took five wickets.

"I've watched it regularly at home and was seriously impressed at the way the Heat won the title last year," Kerr said of the WBBL.

"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."