BBL 2020: Brisbane Heat prepares to re-jig batting line-up as AB de Villiers prepares to launch
South African AB de Villiers won’t be with Brisbane long but the Heat is preparing to make the most of their star import. Plus, the batting order is in for a change.
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Brisbane’s rising crop of T20 cricketers would be “mad” not to latch onto AB de Villiers and soak up as much as they possibly can before the South African import flies out.
That’s the view of Heat skipper Chris Lynn, who still ranks de Villiers as one of the best cricketers on the planet.
“As we’ve spoken about, we’ve got a generally young team and the guys are mad if they don’t be a sponge over the next couple of weeks for any advice and information he (de Villiers) can bring,” Lynn said.
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“In my opinion, he’s probably the number one (most) entertaining batsman in the world, once he gets going he hits the ball 360 degrees whenever he wants.
“I believe he’s two steps ahead of the game compared to everyone else and whoever it is batting with him at the other end, whether it’s myself, Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Matty Renshaw, just make sure you utilise and learn from what he’s doing because he is the best in the game and the way he thinks is totally different to other batters around the world.”
The inventive de Villiers is regarded as one of T20 batting pioneers and says he’s more than happy to help mentor the likes of Bryant and Renshaw throughout his Heat tenure.
“It’s a natural kind of role for me,” de Villiers said.
“I’m 35 now I’ve played quite a bit of cricket around the world – I would hate to think I’m not going to have that kind of role when I join teams like this.
“In December at home I had a similar role with some of the youngsters in South African cricket coming through so I enjoy that, I enjoy guys asking me questions about my batting and what I've learned over my 15 years of playing international cricket so I'd like to think with Chris and a few others we’ll help some of the youngsters understanding what’s necessary to achieve success and go all the way with their careers.”
De Villiers also made note of Marcus Stoinis’ record-breaking 147 on Sunday, pointing to a constant improvement and evolution of short-form batting.
“Some of the shots and some of the innings I see are unbelievable but I’m also not surprised that the games keeps evolving,” he said.
“Just the shots that I’ve played, the bowlers, the batters are all getting better every day so I won’t say I’m leading that pack but I like to think that I’ve still got a little bit more in the tank to display over the next few years.”
WHAT AB’S ARRIVAL MEANS FOR HEAT
Lynn will consider promoting himself to open the batting and accommodate de Villiers at first drop in a revamped top-six for Tuesday’s vital home clash.
Lynn has been rocks and diamonds throughout BBL09 with his 33.13 batting average coming off the back of two 80-plus scores and papering over his failure to pass 15 in five of his eight innings so far.
Yet a promotion could prove fruitful in the absence of English import Tom Banton, who found success with his aggressive style at the top of the order, and Lynn says he’ll be canvassing all options to get the best out of his batting unit.
“Yeah potentially, we might go a right-hand left hand combination with (Matthew) Renshaw as well or we’ve got Burnsy (Joe Burns) there who’s a Test opener so we’ve got options there and that’s what good teams do have,” Lynn said.
“I think the balance of our line-up is really suitable now, even though Tommy Banton smacked the cover off the ball when he got his opportunity so we’ll soon find out.”
“(AB de Villiers) will be three or four but we’ll work on our match-ups and see how we’re best suited against the Adelaide Strikers – as we’ve got them back to back.
“We’ll find out at our top-up session and then we’ll go from there but we’re pretty open minded to where he feels comfortable with and what the team feels comfortable with as well.”
Lynn’s excitement at finally having de Villiers on deck was palpable as the two fronted media together on Monday with the 30-year-old skipper lauding his teammate’s timely arrival.
(The excitement)’s just gone up a couple of notches I reckon,” Lynn said.
”We’re building nicely in the campaign so far, obviously with the loss the other night over in Perth, we’ve had a tough schedule and the long flights but the boys are ready to go.
“It’s a breath of fresh air having AB in the squad now and also Mujeeb (Ur Rahman) and I think we’re prepping nicely for some back-end success.
A win over third-placed Adelaide would vault Brisbane back into the top four with five regular season games to play.
Originally published as BBL 2020: Brisbane Heat prepares to re-jig batting line-up as AB de Villiers prepares to launch