AB de Villiers under pressure to ensure stripped Brisbane squad can still thrive

MEN'S BIG BASH LEAGUE PREVIEW - BRISBANE HEAT: The South African batsman arrives for the second half of the competition amid much fanfare

The Cricketer | 10/12/2019 at 15:30

Coach: Darren Lehmann

Captain: Chris Lynn

Overseas players: Tom Banton (England), AB de Villiers (South Africa), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Afghanistan), Zahir Khan (Afghanistan)

Australia national team players: James Pattinson, Joe Burns, Matthew Renshaw, Marnus Labuschagne

Last season: Fifth

How did they do last season?

Just a point separated Heat from a place in the play-offs, with the no-result against Sydney Thunder costing both sides upon the preliminary stage being completed. That result triggered a winless four-game run which ruined their qualification hopes.

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Key players?

AB de Villiers: A legendary figure in this format even as he approaches his 36th birthday. De Villiers is set for his first outing in the Big Bash having signed up for the second half of the campaign. Having amassed over 10,000 runs in domestic, franchise and international T20s he is showing few signs of slowing down just yet.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman: The teenager is now becoming a regular fixture of these competitions and gets a second opportunity to impress in Australia. The shallow Heat bowling line-up meant there was plenty on his shoulders but he more than delivered with 12 wickets at 23.41.

Josh Lalor: Of the veteran's 37 outings in the Big Bash, 11 of them came for the Heat last term - a reflection of his success with the ball. Only three players finished with more scalps in the competition and no one who took eight wickets or more did it at a better average (14.85). Part of Cricket Australia's second Reconciliation Action Plan aimed at bringing about change within the country's indigenous population, it is clear his impact off the field is equally as significant as in the middle.

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Strengths

There is plenty of explosive batting talent around. Chris Lynn is showing few signs of slowing down, De Villiers' reputation goes before him while Tom Banton will be keen to prove he can live with an increase in expectations.

Weaknesses

The squad has already been stripped of three players due to Australia's Test series against New Zealand, with James Pattinson, Joe Burns and Marnus Labuschagne all called up. Furthermore, it will take more than one off-season to replace a figure of Brendon McCullum's undoubted influence and talent. And though there are fireworks near the top of the batting, it is also true that more is needed of the middle order. The likes of Max Bryant and Matthew Renshaw need to produce more consistency.

England involvement

Though he mightn't have delivered the scores he would have liked on his maiden England tour in New Zealand, Banton proved he more than has what it takes to cope with the step-up in quality after flourishing in the T20 Blast with Somerset. Has form coming into the competition after two half-centuries in the T10 League.

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