The Brisbane Heat are former winners of the Big Bash but it has been a real struggle for them in the last two seasons. Brendon McCullum has been acquired as captain to try and turn their fortunes around this season and hopes are high in Queensland ahead of the latest campaign.
Stats
Last Season: 6th
Captain: Brendon McCullum
Overseas Players: Samuel Badree & Brendon McCullum
Key Player: Chris Lynn
Best Odds: 10/1 General
Predicted Finishing Position: 7th
Fixtures
Wednesday December 21 – Adelaide Strikers (a)
Wednesday December 28 – Sydney Thunder (a)
Friday December 30 – Hobart Hurricanes (h)
Tuesday January 3 – Sydney Sixers (h)
Thursday January 5 – Perth Scorchers (a)
Wednesday January 11 – Perth Scorchers (h)
Tuesday January 17 – Melbourne Stars (a)
Friday January 20 – Melbourne Renegades (h)
Preview
Players In: Brendon McCullum, Alex Ross, Marnus Labuschagne, Sam Heazlett
Players Out: Lendl Simmons, James Hopes, Nick Buchanan, Peter Forrest
It has been a couple of lean seasons for the Brisbane Heat. The experiment of Andrew Flintoff as overseas player never worked two seasons ago and Chris Lynn aside they were very disappointing last season. The addition of Brendon McCullum suggests that they are taking it more seriously this season which should yield a much better approach.
Taking wickets has been a real issue for the Heat recently. Nobody other than Samuel Badree took more than four wickets for them last season and he only got nine which is less than they would have wanted from him I’m sure. Brendon McCullum’s strength is his unique fields and aggressive attitude and the Heat will hope, and need, his methods to provide a better output in the field.
Betting
Both the batsmen and bowler markets have clear favourites in the Brisbane Heat betting stakes and I think that is fair. I expect Chris Lynn to top score and I fancy Samuel Badree to be the leading wicket taker but there isn’t a lot of value in either player especially were Lynn to be called up for international duty.
There is one bet I do like concerning the Brisbane Heat though and it comes on them hitting the most sixes. Playing four matches at The Gabba which is the best batting track in the country in limited overs cricket is a massive advantage for them in this sphere and having two away matches in Adelaide and Sydney Thunder where the boundaries are small helps too.
Brendon McCullum has publicly told his batsmen to go out and be aggressive and he and Chris Lynn in particular will certainly do that. The likes of Nathan Reardon, Alex Ross, Jimmy Peirson and Ben Cutting can all wield the long handle so the six hitting power combined with a favourite set of venues for their matches makes Brisbane Heat look like good things for the most team sixes.
Tips
WON – Back Brisbane Heat Most Team Sixes for a 3/10 stake at 4.00 with Bet365
Back them here:
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