Ahead of the 2021–22 Big Bash League season, Prestwidge was signed by the Brisbane Heat to play in the tournament.[9] Prestwidge was brought into the squad as an injury replacement for fellow fast-bowler Matt Willans, who was ruled out the tournament after undergoing surgery for a shoulder reconstruction.[9] Prestwidge was also included in Queensland's squad for the 2021–22 Marsh One-Day Cup, Australia's domestic List A cricket competition.[9]
During December 2021 and January 2022, the 2021–22 Big Bash League cricket tournament was impacted with multiple cases of COVID-19 being reported across several of the competing teams.[10][11] One of the teams to be severely affected by the outbreak was the Brisbane Heat.[12] As a result, only three players in the Heat's original squad were available for their match against the Melbourne Renegades at the GMHBA Stadium in Geelong on 6 January 2022.[12] With twelve players ruled out of the match due to COVID,[13] the Brisbane Heat assembled a new squad for the match, with as many as ten players in line to make their debut,[14] including Prestwidge.[15] Therefore, Prestwidge, along with Jack Clayton, David Grant, Ronan McDonald, Steve McGiffin and Lachlan Pfeffer all made their Twenty20 debuts in the match for the Heat.[16] In the match, Prestwidge finished not out at the end of the Heat's innings, scoring two runs, with the team making 128/6 from their twenty overs.[16] He also bowled two overs, but did not take any wickets, and conceded twenty-two runs, with the Melbourne Renegades winning the match by five wickets with five overs to spare.[16][17] Two days later, in the Heat's match against the Hobart Hurricanes, Prestwidge took his first wicket, dismissing Caleb Jewell.[18] He also dismissed Ben McDermott, to finish the match with figures of 2/37.[19]
