Former Brisbane Heat skipper Brendon McCullum faces uncertain future after tough season

Fan favourite Brendon McCullum faces an uncertain future at the Brisbane Heat, as Blindside reveals it wasn’t the Kiwi international’s choice to step down as captain.

Brendon McCullum’s form for the Heat this summer hasn’t been great. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

Kiwi superstar Brendon McCullum is facing an uncertain future at the Brisbane Heat after being stripped of the franchise’s captaincy.

Blindside can reveal Chris Lynn’s appointment as Heat skipper this summer was made by the big wigs at Queensland Cricket and wasn’t McCullum’s decision.

While the Heat heavyweights are fans of McCullum, they felt his on-field captaincy style wasn’t the right fit for the team and wanted Lynn to take over.

Brendon McCullum’s form for the Heat this summer hasn’t been great. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

The decision was made above off-contract coach Dan Vettori, a former New Zealand teammate of McCullum’s.

Lynn has embraced the role and impressed powerbrokers with his leadership qualities.

McCullum, 37, has had a poor Big Bash tournament, averaging 22.55 thanks to three half-centuries.

He has only reached double figures in six out of 11 games and been criticised for some poor shot selection.

While McCullum is contracted at the Heat until the end of next summer, he is no certainty to return.

He is well-liked by powerful figures at the Heat, who believe the knockabout McCullum can have a positive impact on the franchise’s young players.

But performances count and he has struggled to make an impact in BBL08.

Healy calls for mankad return

FORMER Test wicketkeeper Ian Healy has called for the mankad to make a comeback in the Big Bash League.

Fox Cricket commentator Ian Healy.

Healy made the controversial call on Fox Cricket when he noticed Heat all-rounder Ben Cutting leaving his crease before Hurricanes bowler James Faulkner had delivered the ball.

Batters are always looking for multiple runs in Twenty20 games and Healy said the mankad could stop them.

A mankad involves the bowler running out the nonstriker if he has left his crease before delivering the ball.

While a recognised mode of dismissal, it is regarded to be a cheap shot and against the spirit of the game.

“I’m thinking the mankad might come into this game,” Healy said.

“Ben Cutting left his crease way before Faulkner bowled and that’s cheating. That’s unfair.

“That’s a very valid mode of dismissal now.

“You don’t (have to warn them). He is transgressing the spirit of the game by leaving his crease early.”

Blindside is tipping the first bowler to pull off a mankad may never live it down, much like Trevor Chappell’s infamous underarm delivery back in 1981.

Richie Kennar has signed with Intrust Super Cup club Wynnum-Manly. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Seibold brings in his first Bunny

BRONCOS coach Anthony Seibold has brought his first bunny to Red Hill.

Former South Sydney centre Richie Kennar joined the Broncos on a train-and-trial deal this week.

Kennar has signed with Intrust Super Cup club Wynnum-Manly for the upcoming season.

He scored seven tries in eight games for the Rabbitohs last year under Seibold, who is obviously a fan.

Kennar has a tough task ahead of him to secure an NRL deal as he has joined the Broncos late in the pre-season and is behind the eight ball.

Drugs testers surprise the Titans

THE NRL season is still six weeks away from starting but drug testers are already out in force.

ASADA testers made a surprise appearance at Gold Coast Titans training yesterday for random testing.

The testers arrived just as the players were heading to lunch, meaning they had to watch the Titans eat as they waited to collect samples.

Cowboys wait on Bolton verdict

THE Cowboys are still waiting to hear if the NRL will suspend prop Scott Bolton for the start of the season.

Cowboys prop Scott Bolton.

Bolton pleaded guilty to common assault in a Sydney court earlier this month following an incident at a bar midway through last season.

The Cowboys opted not to issue a club-imposed suspension, but the NRL Integrity Unit is conducting its own investigation.

The NRL was awaiting court transcripts before it decides whether to suspend Bolton.

If he is banned it would likely only be a short suspension.