By Nick Wright
After witnessing former teammate Josh Brown rise from unknown bat maker to Big Bash League star, Brisbane Heat’s Paul Walter and Colin Munro are salivating at the prospect of witnessing where the competition’s next breakout sensation emerges.
But a pair of injury concerns for their side could ensure that man plays in the teal colours.
Two-time Test paceman Michael Neser’s hamstring woes are expected to keep him out of the first half of the campaign, while Australian quick Spencer Johnson’s toe concern has him in doubt for their opening clash with the Melbourne Stars.
Callum Vidler celebrates his first wicket as a Queensland Bull.Credit: Getty Images
That has opened the door for Callum Vidler to announce himself as a core part of the nation’s next generation of fast bowlers.
While the Heat still have Will Prestwidge and fast-bowling allrounder Jack Wildermuth to call on, the 19-year-old Vidler finished as Australia’s leading wicket taker at the Under-19s One Day World Cup this year (14), and made his Sheffield Shield debut in March.
New Zealand international Munro believed the tearaway was on the cusp of unleashing on the professional scene, having been on the receiving end of some nasty training sessions.
“I faced Vids in the nets last year, and I’m not going to be facing him again, that’s for sure,” Munro said.
“He bowls rockets. I think he was bowling to an overseas [player] and he wanted to try and show me up a little bit.
“Every year in the Big Bash [someone emerges], whether it’s [Craig] Simmons back in the day when he got those hundreds, or Josh Brown who’s got a cult following now.
“I’m looking forward to seeing what those young boys bring, and bringing their own mix to the group, not trying to be anybody different than what they are.
“Hopefully, we can make them feel 10 feet tall when they come up to the park, and they can play with freedom.”
The loss of Brown to the Melbourne Renegades has left a void in the Heat’s batting order, one which will already be without Test stars Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney until the end of the series against India.
The 30-year-old, plucked from obscurity in grade cricket while crafting his own bats, proved Brisbane’s match-winner in the finals’ series en route to their first title in 11 years - striking 140 off just 57 balls in the qualifier final before backing it up with a half-century in the decider.
His output followed Johnson’s surge from unknown prospect to household name through his starring role with the Heat.
But Walter was confident the defending champions would cover his absence.
“That’s the price of success, as soon as you win your players become more desirable,” Walter said.
“It’s a shame to lose Browny, but we’ve got some great players, and some different faces, who I’m sure everyone will enjoy watching.
“There’s always that star who comes out from behind the scenes. I’m looking forward to seeing who that is.”