BIG BASH 2018/19 PREVIEW: Can the Brisbane Heat get firing?

Ahead of the Big Bash 2018/19 season, The Cricketer previews the Brisbane Heat, and sees what they have to do to improve on last year's disappointing showing...

Information:

Captain: Chris Lynn
Coach: Daniel Vettori
Overseas player: Brendon McCullum, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Titles: 1 (2012/13)
17/18 Performance: Finished 7th
Best-ever performance: 12/13 title win
In: Matt Kuhnemann, James Pattinson (Renegades), Jack Prestwidge, Mujeeb Ur Rahman
Out: Shadab Khan (Pakistan), Cameron Valente (Strikers), Jason Floros (unsigned), Cameron Gannon (unsigned)

Form:

The Heat will want to forget all about last year as they finished 7th. Though they were still in with a shout of the playoffs going into the final round of matches, an injury-depleted Heat did not perform at the level they would have liked. None of their team really stood out last year, and a big improvement is required if they are to challenge harder this year.

Star Player:

Chris Lynn

T20 Player Index Stats
Position: 36
Points: 603

The big-hitter enters the Big Bash on something of a downward slope, having suffered a bad shoulder injury that caused fears he may never return to cricket. Such was his danger before the previous season of the Big Bash that he was in the top 10, which was largely down to his ability to score exceptionally quickly for an extended period of time.

It remains to be seen whether Lynn will hit the heights he once did, however his recent 113 off 45 balls in a T20 grade cricket match suggests that he is still a player that the Heat will be looking to score a big number of runs.

^{Chris Lynn sits at No.36 in the T20 Player Index}

Biggest Loss:

Shadab Khan

The young Pakistan leg-spinner signed a two-year contract with the Heat last year, and was only available for the first three games of the 2017/18 season. However, that did not stop him from impressing hugely, as he took six wickets at a rate of 14.16, and was only four wickets off being their leading wicket-taker, despite playing only three games.

The 20-year-old has made big waves since his debut in 2016, sitting at No.52 in the T20 Player Index having been at 161 a year ago, and would have been a great addition to a Heat attack which is very lacking.

^{Shadab Khan was a strong performer for the Heat early last season}

Something to prove:

Brendan Doggett

The 2017/18 season was a breakout year for the 24-year-old fast bowler, who put in a sparkling performance against the Perth Scorchers, taking 5-35 (the third best figures all season). His T20 career is only seven games old, and he will be looking to build on a promising start last season, and maybe become that man the Heat are looking for to inject some life into their team.

^{Brendan Doggett could be the man to lead the Heat attack this year}

Strengths:

Despite lacking some big names for long periods like Lynn and Joe Burns last season, the Heat still had the third-highest strike rate. With those names hopefully being available for longer, they’re batting should be a lot stronger.

It should also be remembered that Matt Renshaw is making his return to the team after a year off. Though he has only ever played one T20 match in his entire career, and is not the sort of player you would normally associate with the format, just ask the Somerset faithful about his hitting ability.

Early in the 2018 County Championship season he hit a century before lunch against Yorkshire - taking just 86 balls to bring up his milestone. He finished on 112 off 99. He followed this up recently with a ridiculous 345 off 273 balls in a grade cricket match,

Weaknesses:

A major issue for the Heat last season was their bowling. They did not take enough wickets. Their leading wicket-taker by the end of the group stage was Mark Steketee, who took 10 wickets at 32.20. However, the addition of Afghan 17-year-old Mujeeb Al Rahman poses an interesting potential solution. The off-spinner is the youngest player to ever sign a BBL contract and took 14 wickets at 20.64 at the IPL 2018.

Squad:

Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum, James Pattinson, James Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Mark Steketee, Mitch Swepson.

BIG BASH SQUADS

Prediction:

Playoffs

Fixtures:

Dec 19: Adelaide Strikers (H)
Dec 22: Hobart Hurricanes (H)
Jan 01: Sydney Sixers (H)
Jan 05: Perth Scorchers (A)
Jan 08: Sydney Thunder (A)
Jan 10: Melbourne Renegades (H)
Jan 13: Sun Melbourne Renegades (A)
Jan 17: Sydney Thunder (H)
Jan 20: Sydney Sixers (A)
Jan 27: Melbourne Stars (A)
Jan 29: Hobart Hurricanes (A)
Feb 01: Perth Scorchers (H)
Feb 03: Adelaide Strikers (A)
Feb 08: Melbourne Stars (H)

BIG BASH SCHEDULE