Brisbane Heat open to employing Andrew Symonds in consultancy role to improve Big Bash fortunes

It’s been a shocking season in the Big Bash for the Brisbane Heat, and it’s high time they got someone to help out. That someone might just be the great Andrew Symonds, writes Travis Meyn

Andrew Symonds has been critical of the way the Brisbane Heat has played this season. Picture: Mark Cranitch

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The Heat have opened the door for Queensland legend Andrew Symonds to save the struggling Big Bash franchise.

Brisbane will be looking for its first home win of the summer at the Gabba tonight in what shapes as the BBL wooden spoon showdown against the Perth Scorchers.

The Heat are out of the running for the BBL08 finals with three games remaining after posting only three wins from 11 matches.

Andrew Symonds has been critical of the way the Brisbane Heat has played this season. Picture: Mark Cranitch

Back-to-back poor seasons has seen the Heat only secure seven wins from their past 21 games, leaving off-contract coach Dan Vettori in the firing line.

Symonds would have been a gun Twenty20 has the game come along earlier.

“Roy” Symonds revealed during the Heat’s horrible loss to the Stars last week that he would consider a consultancy role at a BBL franchise.

The former international white-ball superstar is a massive fan of the Heat, regularly wearing Brisbane polo shirts in the Fox Cricket commentary box.

If, as expected, Vettori’s contract is not extended, his support staff are also likely to make way under a new coaching model which would see Queensland’s state coaches also preside over the Heat.

While Symonds, 43, was an excellent Twenty20 player, he was probably born a decade too early to really cash in on the shortest form of the game.

Heat general manager Andrew McShea said Symonds could have a positive impact on Queensland’s Twenty20 franchise.

Brisbane Heat general manager Andrew McShea. Picture: AAP Image/Josh Woning

“When you’re talking about legends of cricket in Queensland, you’ll always be interested in hearing perspectives from those types of guys,” he said.

“We’re not sitting here not being interested in talking to those guys. They are legends of the game.

“We’ll go through and do our own reviews and that may involve hearing from people like ‘Roy’.”

A frustrated Symonds labelled the Heat and captain Chris Lynn “dumb” after they butchered a meagre run chase of 135 against the Stars to end their finals hopes.

The stinging criticism has hit the Heat hard given it came from one of the team’s biggest supporters and a legend of Queensland cricket.

McShea said the Heat had been stung by Symonds’ words about the men’s team, especially after Brisbane won the Women’s Big Bash League title.

“Of course it hurts,” he said.

Matthew Kuhnemann could be set for a Brisbane Heat debut tonight.

“It hurts seeing the way they played, it doesn’t really matter where the comments come from, whether it’s our fans, members or a legend like Roy.

“It’s disappointing the way they’re playing and people like Roy are entitled to say those sorts of things.

“It’s been frustrating to watch. That’s a sign of frustration from people who are passionate about the club and what it can be.

“On paper we’ve got a fantastic squad but we haven’t been able to put the performances together.

“The guys could take a leaf out of the book of the WBBL team and the way that team has put together all-round performances. That’s what the men’s team hasn’t been able to do.”

The only game the Heat haven’t lost from five appearances in Queensland this summer was when the lights went out against the Thunder at the Gabba a fortnight ago.

Leg-spinner Mitch Swepson has been dropped for tonight’s game and could be replaced by Gold Coast debutant Matthew Kuhnemann.

HEAT: Chris Lynn (c), Max Bryant, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Josh Lalor, Brendon McCullum, James Peirson, Jack Prestwidge, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.