Chris Lynn says Brisbane Heat are contenders for BBL title
With some astute new signings, Chris Lynn believes Brisbane have the depth to go all the way in this season’s Big Bash League – if they can stay composed.
Big Bash
Don't miss out on the headlines from Big Bash. Followed categories will be added to My News.
Chris Lynn has wound back the clock and the six-hitting star believes his fresh approach has the Brisbane Heat in the box seat to challenge for the Big Bash League title.
The Heat are raging favourites to take out this summer’s BBL after securing the services of South African superstar AB de Villiers for the back end of the tournament.
Brisbane will begin its campaign against the Sydney Thunder at the Gabba on Tuesday night in the first match of BBL09.
Watch every KFC Big Bash League match LIVE or On-Demand with KAYO SPORTS on your TV or favourite device. Get your 14-day free trial >
Despite regularly boasting a strong team and the dynamic Lynn, the Heat haven’t won the BBL since the second edition of the tournament in 2012-13.
They lost their first three matches last summer and a late run of wins wasn’t enough to secure a finals berth.
The Heat’s poor start to the tournament resulted in an internal review being conducted, followed by the departures of coach Daniel Vettori and Kiwi batting star Brendon McCullum.
Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann, who coached the Heat in their BBL02 triumph, has returned to the franchise and Lynn will remain captain.
Lynn, 29, is arguably the most popular player in the history of the BBL and needs only three runs to become the tournament’s all-time leading runscorer.
Lynn had an up-and-down summer in 2018-19, scoring 385 runs at 35 in 14 matches as the Heat struggled for consistency. But the international Twenty20 star has simplified his game over the winter and believes he is ready to launch into a big summer for the Heat.
“I know I’m strong enough to clear the boundaries and I don’t have to throw the kitchen sink at it,” said Lynn, who has whacked 123 BBL sixes.
“When you do throw the kitchen sink at it you tend to lose your shape as such and then more errors are going to come in.
“I’ve gone back to the basics and tried to nail them. I want to give myself a good platform.
“It’s like a triangle – the bigger the base, the higher the peak is. I’ve wanted to get the platform set nice and strong.
“You’ve got to earn the right to slog and play big shots. I’ve gone back to what’s worked for me over the years. Hopefully it will pay dividends over the next couple of weeks.”
The Heat have made some astute signings since last summer.
The recruitment of de Villiers has been labelled the biggest signing in the history of the BBL.
English young gun Tom Banton will open the batting in the first half of the tournament before being replaced by de Villiers on January 14 against the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba.
The Heat have also picked up crafty Queensland local Ben Laughlin, the BBL’s all-time leading wicket-taker with 95 scalps.
Test bowler James Pattinson is back on board for the tournament, along with Afghanistan spinners Zahir Khan and Mujeed Ur Rahman.
Lynn said the signs were positive for the Heat this summer but they had to stay composed throughout the 14-match regular season.
MORE NEWS
Zerafa: I’ll punish Horn for being a sook
A-League to investigate Fowler-Rudan spat
“We challenge ourselves every year,” he said.
“We have to make sure we don’t panic as much as we did last year and the guys stay positive.
“The tournament is not as long as last year but there’s the same amount of games. There’s going to be a one or two-week period where you don’t get wins on the board.
“As long as we don’t panic, the fans, media and players stick together and work hard, it’s going to be a very enjoyable year.”
The Heat will play five home games at the Gabba and make two appearances at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.
Originally published as Chris Lynn says Brisbane Heat are contenders for BBL title