Will Brisbane Feel the Heat or be Left in the Cold?

With Daniel Vettori’s tenure at an end, the Heat are looking for Lehmann to bring success to the franchise. In the eight editions of the competition, Heat have reached the finals twice and haven’t done so in two years. Chris Lynn returns as captain after a mixed first full season in charge.

The Heat recruitment team have been in overdrive with the signings of batting superstar AB de Villiers and a possible white-ball heir apparent in English batter Tom Banton. 

The signing of de Villiers came as a surprise after the player ruled himself out of coming to the BBL, but the change of heart will boost Heat’s batting department – as well as their commercial department.  Banton will start with the Heat before de Villiers’ entrance in January.

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Looking at the Heat’s batters, they have the ability to chase down any total or post a massive one of their own. In Lynn alone they have an explosive option; add de Villiers / Banton / Max Bryant / Ben Cutting / Sam Heazlett, and it looks formidable.

However, it also suggests that implosion is around the corner. Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne will be required to provide platforms for Heat to launch their powerful hitting from.

Heat’s bowling unit has received a boost with the signing of the BBL’s leading wicket-taker, Ben Laughlin. Adelaide allowed Laughlin to be released from the final year of his contract to spend time with his family who live on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast.

With 95 wickets to his name, Laughlin’s experience will be useful with young Afghanistan spin bowlers Mujeeb-Ur-Rehman and Zahir Khan.  It is Mujeeb’s second season with the Heat and the spinner is growing in ability all the time.

It is challenging to try and predict how Heat’s BBL09 campaign will fare.  On the one hand, this year’s roster suggests that if the team clicks then the trophy could well head to the Sunshine State.

However, Heat’s inconsistent form over several seasons leads to a very different conclusion. The one takeaway from these opposing views is that Heat fans, and neutral fans, are in for an exciting summer. 

Squad

Tom Banton (Eng), Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, AB de Villiers (SA), Cameron Gannon, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Ben Laughlin, Chris Lynn (Captain), James Pattinson, Jimmy Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matthew Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson, Mujeeb-Ur-Rahman (Afg), Zahir Khan (Afg)

Fixtures

Cricket fans can watch the BBL live on Kayo Sports
click here for a free two-week trial!