- Name: Brisbane Heat
- Captain: Jimmy Peirson
- Head Coach: Darren Lehmann
- Home Ground: The Gabba
- Squad members: 18 (15 + 3 overseas)
- Best result: Champions in BBL 2012/13
- BBL 2020/21 result: 3rd in playoffs
They’ve won a title way back in BBL 2012 which was only the second edition of the tournament but since then, this has been one of the worst performing teams in the Big Bash League. The team isn’t too bad on paper so it’s tough to see why they’ve finished in the bottom half of the points table 6 times in 8 seasons since they won that title. This year, Brisbane Heat goes in with a few squad changes and also appointing a new captain.
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We’re talking about wicket-keeper batsman Jimmy Peirson who with 4 fifties in a career of 77 BBL games isn’t the best batsman in the squad for sure. However, he’s been more consistent in the last couple of seasons, with 348 runs in BBL 2020, though he only got past fifty once. Regardless, the reason he’s been given the captaincy could be less because of his form but more so that the existing captain can focus more on his batting.
We’re talking about Big Bash legend Chris Lynn. He was the fourth highest run scorer in BBL 10 with 4 fifties and 458 runs in 13 games but importantly, he’s the highest run scorer in the history of the league, with 2,790 runs and no one close to overtaking him yet. There’s a decline in his form recent months, with no fifties in 10+ outings but with the burden of captaincy away, he could have a good season, barring any injuries, as he’s prone to them.
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This side may be hit more this season because quite a few of their players have been called up to be a part of the Ashes 2021/22 squad. They could be released to play a game or two but they won’t be regular. This includes batsman Marnus Labuschagne, all-rounder Michael Neser and leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. It considerably reduces their chances of finishing in the top half of the BBL 11 points table, with AB de Villiers missing after announcing his retirement too.
With no Labuschagne, there will be added responsibility on the shoulders of Sam Heazlett who has been around since a while now. An attacking top order batsman, he has given his side a few quick starts but consistency is key for someone like him. Another person who is quite experienced now in the BBL but hasn’t risen and grown over the years but packs a lot of potential, is bowling all-rounder Jack Wildermuth.
The very experienced 35-year old Tom Cooper has 7, 7, 1, 7 in his last four professional outings and hasn’t even had a lot of games since BBL 10, so we don’t think he’s going to be a main part of the team and won’t add much value in BBL 11. Among the overseas picks, there’s two English batsmen in Ben Duckett and Tom Abell. Though Abell has more experience in franchise leagues, they may give Duckett preference as he’s got national side exposure.
Brisbane Heat – BBL 2021/22 Betting
Brisbane Heat is hit with players being picked to the Ashes squad and others who are out of form and well, they don’t have a great track record in recent seasons either. They’re up at pre-tournament odds of 8.0 with Betway to win BBL 2021/22 but I wouldn’t have my money on them for this season. Yes, when Lynn and co click at the top, we could see some wins and high scoring games but not the title, no.
The third and final overseas pick who they’ve played before too is Mujeeb ur Rahman and there will be a lot of reliance on him in a team where there aren’t too many strike bowlers. Expect him to bowl a lot in the powerplay overs and if we think there’s one pacer who could get among the wickets from Brisbane Heat in BBL 2021, it’s the lanky Aussie bowler Mark Steketee who bagged 24 in 16 games last season.
Brisbane HEAT BBL 2021/22 squad: Jimmy Peirson (C), Tom Cooper, Sam Heazlett, Chris Lynn, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Matthew Willans, Xavier Bartlett, Jack Wildermuth, James Bazley, Matt Kuhnemann, Max Bryant, Connor Sully, Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Ben Duckett (Ovr), Tom Abell (Ovr), Mujeeb ur Rahman (Ovr).
For more updates on the progress of Brisbane Heat in BBL 11, stay tuned to ReadScoops.com…
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