Heat need some cool heads
Top, middle order bats must be more controlled
THE Heat’s much-hyped batting order faces being ripped apart following Brisbane’s dreadful start to the Big Bash League.
The Heat slumped to their second loss of the tournament in Saturday night’s 15-run defeat to Hobart at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast.
For the second time this summer it was Brisbane’s highly-rated, yet poorly performing, batting unit that cost the Heat victory.
After two matches, only one Brisbane batsman has scored a half-century and that was allrounder Ben Cutting (58) at No.6 against the Hurricanes. Kiwi import Brendon McCullum has fallen for four in both games, Sam Heazlett has scored two runs in two digs and the Heat have been bowled out inside 20 overs twice.
The Heat have three established batsmen waiting to have a crack in former Test duo Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne along with proven BBL performer Alex Ross.
Cutting admitted the team could receive a shake up in their next match against the Sydney Sixers at Metricon on New Year’s Day.
“They are definitely pushing (for selection),” he said.
“All of those smacked them in the practice game we had here two weeks ago.
“We’ll do some thinking over the break and see what we come up with.
“In the first two games the bowlers have done well, it’s just our batting that has to lift 15 or 20 runs a game.
“None from two is never a good start leading into the Christmas break. We’ve learnt a few things from our first two games and hopefully we are better for the run.
“We’re getting close. We get so close to winning games, but get stuck through the middle overs.
“We’ve got to tighten up our middle order and take it a little deeper in the game.”
Heat coach Dan Vettori has some big decisions to make.
His fellow Kiwi McCullum is in need of a big score, alconservative though he sacrificed his wicket in a run-out mix-up with young gun Max Bryant in the Hurricanes loss.
Heazlett’s head is on the chopping block and captain Chris Lynn has at times seemed uncertain about his role in the team.
Lynn was forced to play a role in the Hurricanes game, finishing with 29 from 37 balls as he looked to save Brisbane’s innings.
The Heat are desperate for a rock in the top order and need some stability throughout their innings.
“The senior players have got to step up in our batting group and take it as deep as they can,” Cutting said.
“That’s what Lynny tried to do. Another night that will work for him and he’s going to make up those dot balls. We know what Lynny can do.
“It’s a good time to get things in order and probably start afresh.”
The Heat have a nine-day break before their January 1 clash with the Sixers and the extended BBL season, which sees each team play 14 games, means their tournament is far from over.
WE’VE LEARNT A FEW THINGS FROM OUR FIRST TWO GAMES AND HOPEFULLY WE ARE BETTER FOR THE RUN BEN CUTTING