BBL15: Brisbane Heat pace attack BBL’s best ever after drafting Shaheen Shah Afridi

After landing one of the world’s premier fast bowlers in the BBL draft, Brisbane Heat has assembled one of the best bowling attacks in the competition’s 15 years. But, how will four quicks work?

A speedster worth $1.78m in the IPL auction. Australia’s new swing king. One of world cricket’s most lethal quicks.

Brisbane Heat’s bowling attack for BBL15 shapes as the most fearsome in Big Bash League history.

And, that’s before you mention the ever-reliable Michael Neser.

The Heat used the first pick in Thursday’s BBL Draft to sign Shaheen Shah Afridi, the left-arm quick from Pakistan who has amassed more than 300 international wickets.

Shaheen will be joined by Spencer Johnson, Xavier Bartlett and Neser this summer in a formidable four-pronged pace attack.

Xavier Bartlett has become one of Australia’s best domestic quicks.

Spencer Johnson is one of the BBL’s most lethal pacemen.

Now, the challenge for coach Johan Botha is to ensure that enviable depth of world-class bowling talent translates to results.

“Last year we didn’t really do any damage with the new ball and then our spinners were under pressure straight out of the powerplay,” Botha said.

“I think the only way to stop batting teams these days is to get wickets. In that line-up we can hopefully strike early.

“Last year I think we were pretty easy to plan against. We only had five bowlers and the two spinners didn’t really work.

“We had to change something.”

Shaheen was a wanted man at the draft with Adelaide Strikers (pick 2) and Melbourne Stars (pick 7) declaring they would have taken the 25-year-old had Brisbane not pounced.

“We just had to make sure with our salary (cap) that we could afford him at platinum because we had Colin Munro pre-signed at platinum,” Botha said.

“Once that got cleared it was a pretty easy pick.”

Shaheen was crucial to Pakistan’s shock win over Australia in last year’s one-day series, taking eight wickets including three-wicket hauls in Adelaide and Perth.

While Johnson, Bartlett and Neser have played international cricket in the past two years, Botha said a possible Ashes call-up for one of the Heat’s domestic trio was not a factor in Shaheen’s signing.

Instead, it was Neser’s injury history – he was restricted to four games last season – which cemented Shaheen as the Heat’s first pick.

“We had (Neser) out for most of the tournament,” Botha said.

“Who knows? Xavier, Spencer (could be) injured, going to play for Australia.

“We needed another world-class bowler just to help our team out.”

The other issue for Botha is finding a spot for Callum Vidler, the young quick who has plenty of admirers in Queensland after impressing for Australia’s under-19 side.

“Young and exciting, we want to get him some game time,” Botha said.

“It will be exciting to have three guys bowl about 145km/h at some point in the BBL.

“He had a taste in the Shield and one-day cricket last year and we want to see him in the BBL.”

The Heat wants to expose young quick Callum Vidler at BBL level.

The Heat also added experienced batter Colin Munro and wicketkeeper Tom Alsop in the international draft.

Alsop will compete with Jimmy Peirson for the wicketkeeping role after featuring in four games in his first BBL campaign.

“Tom played really nicely for us last year and I think we needed the left-hander in the middle,” Botha said.

“There were a couple of other keeping options but they all want to bat in the top of the order and our top is pretty full at the moment.”

Originally published as BBL15: Brisbane Heat pace attack BBL’s best ever after drafting Shaheen Shah Afridi