BBL 2019/20: ‘The Next Kevin Pietersen’ set to be Supercoach fan favourite

He’s been dubbed the natural successor to England great Kevin Pietersen, but excitement machine Tom Banton has handed out a warning to Brisbane Heat fans – and his Big Bash rivals.

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English star Tom Banton has warned long-suffering Heat fans not to expect fireworks from him in every Big Bash match this summer.

Banton will make his BBL debut for the Heat in Tuesday’s tournament-opener against the Sydney Thunder at the Gabba.

The 21-year-old is one of Twenty20’s rising stars, blasting his way from averaging “about nine” in Perth grade cricket to the international stage in the space of a year.

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The Brisbane Heat’s England sensation Tom Banton. Picture: AAP

With a striking cover drive and a repertoire of switch hits, Banton has nearly every shot in the book.

But the slashing opener admitted his attacking approach means he isn’t going to produce in every match.

“I either go out there and will be out first ball or it might come off,” Banton said.

“I don’t think about it too much. I won’t put too much pressure on myself. As an opener I want to get us off to quick starts.

“The way I play, some guys will look at me and think ‘I’m not sure you should have done that’. But for me I’m going to carry on doing what I’ve done.

“The way T20 cricket is now, as an opener you’ve got to go for it.

“I’ll see a ball and play it on its merit and sometimes it won’t come off.”

WATCH BANTON AT HIS BLISTERING BEST BELOW

A jet-lagged Banton was unveiled in Heat colours for the first time on Wednesday morning at the Gabba.

The Heat haven’t won the BBL since the second edition of the tournament in 2012-13 and parted ways with coach Daniel Vettori and Kiwi star Brendon McCullum after a poor start to last summer.

Banton will be Brisbane’s international batting import for the opening half of the tournament before being replaced by South African superstar AB de Villiers.

With Banton and fellow import signing AB de Villiers arriving, the Heat have some serious firepower.

The right-handed Banton has had a swift rise up the T20 cricket ranks.

A year ago he was playing in the Perth local league, but a string of strong performances lead to him making his international T20 debut for England against New Zealand last month.

“It’s been quiet scary how quickly it’s changed,” Banton said.

“This time last year I was in Perth playing grade cricket and averaged about nine.

“I got a chance in New Zealand. It was very special. I was quite nervous but when I started batting it felt quite natural to me.

“Being here is a dream come true. I’m very lucky.”

Big Bash King Chris Lynn is the true masterblaster at the top of the order. Picture: Brett Costello

Banton warmed up for the BBL with scores of 80 and 53 not out in the recent T10 tournament in Abu Dhabi, where Heat captain Chris Lynn was named player of the tournament.

Banton scored a T20 century for Somerset off just 51 balls earlier this year and averages 35.94 at a strike rate of 155.15 in the shortest form of the game.

Banton will open for the Heat alongside 20-year-old Gold Coast slugger Max Bryant and said he was hoping to get rid of some nerves against the Thunder.

“I definitely will be nervous in the first few games,” he said.

“Still being young I don’t want to put too much pressure on myself.

“Hopefully I can get a score away and then I won’t think about it too much.”

Banton will play for Wynnum-Manly in the local Brisbane competition this weekend as a warm-up for the BBL.