Brisbane Heat failed to make it to Big Bash League 2018-19 semi-finals despite winning the last three matches of their campaign in style. The BBL 02 champions collected 13 points from 14 matches and missed the cut by a point.
In Lynn Heat Fans Trust
The Brisbane Heat faithful would be banking on Chris Lynn to shoulder the responsibility after Brendon McCullum bid farewell to the game at the end of last season. Lynn, though, was not at his best in BBL 08 but managed to score 385 runs in 14 matches. The onus will also be on experienced campaigners Josh Lalor – the only bowler to take a five-wicket haul last season – and Ben Cutting.
Marnus Labuschagne and James Pattinson will miss the first half of the season due to their commitments with the national team.
Unstoppable Banton
Tom Banton is the player to watch out for in this year’s Big Bash League. 2019 has been a breakthrough year for the 21-year-old Englishman as he scored 549 runs at a strike rate of 161 in T20 Vitality Blast. He also impressed in his T20 International debut in New Zealand.
Banton, set to play only the first eight matches, will be replaced by Ab de Villiers. The ex-South Africa international is busy racking up runs in Mzansi Super League.
Top three FPs scorers in 2018-19 season:
Ben Cutting (758 points from 13 matches)
Max Bryant (672 points from 13 matches)
Chris Lynn (664 points from 13 matches)
BBL 2019-20 squad: Max Bryant, Tom Banton (Overseas Player), Matthew Renshaw, Chris Lynn (Captain), Joe Burns, AB de Villiers (Overseas Player; to replace Tom Banton after the first eight games), Jimmy Peirson, Sam Heazlett, Marnus Labuschagne, Ben Cutting, Mark Steketee, Jack Prestwidge, Ben Laughlin, James Pattinson, Josh Lalor, Zahir Khan (Overseas Player), Mujeeb Ur Rahman (Overseas Player; to replace Zahir Khan after the first eight games), Matt Kuhnemann, Mitchell Swepson, Cameron Gannon.
Play the Australia’s biggest T20 League at HalaPlay from December 17th.