Preview: Simmering Heat eye BBL crown

Squad: Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Jason Floros, Cameron Gannon, Sam Heazlett, Shadab Khan (International), Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (international, captain), Jimmy Peirson, Matt Renshaw, Alex Ross, Mitchell Swepson, Mark Steketee, Cameron Valente, Yasir Shah (international replacement).

Ins: Max Bryant, Brendan Doggett, Shadab Khan, Matt Renshaw, Cameron Valente, Yasir Shah

Outs: Samuel Badree, Alex Doolan, Andrew Fekete, Nathan Reardon, Jack Wildermuth, Tymal Mills

Possible starting XI: Brendon McCullum (c), Jimmy Peirson, Chris Lynn, Sam Heazlett, Joe Burns, Alex Ross, Ben Cutting, Shadab Khan, Brendan Doggett, Mitch Swepson, Mark Steketee 

The inside word with batsman Joe Burns: "We can win it this year off the back of the Bash Brothers – Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn were unbelievable last year and I think we've got a very strong batting line-up around those two as well. It's also a very under-rated bowling attack – they really stood up last year and played a strong role in getting us a home semi-final. I'm confident we can make the finals, and once you get through to those knockout games anything can happen; I think we have enough players with X-factor to get through them."

The talking points: All focus in Brisbane has of course been on the fitness of Chris Lynn, who has declared himself ready – if not 100 per cent fit – for game one against the Stars on Wednesday at the Gabba after a shoulder reconstruction in July had all but ruled him out until February. Lynn has won the past two Player-of-the-Tournament awards and has formed a lethal combination with 'Bash Brother' Brendon McCullum, who found form in the Bangladesh Premier League last week with an unbeaten half-century. The Heat have also added a couple of young guns to their books in top-order blaster Max Bryant and paceman Brendan Doggett. Both have the potential to turn heads if given the opportunity. Internationally, as well as McCullum the Brisbane squad has been bolstered by Pakistan leggie Shadab Khan, who will be replaced later in the season by compatriot and fellow wrist-spinner Yasir Shah.

The BBL|06 result: The Heat made the final four last year despite a lean record at home, which saw them win just one match from five. They were perfect on the road however, winning in Adelaide, Melbourne (v the Stars at the MCG), Perth and Sydney (v the Thunder at Spotless Stadium) to finish second. Against the Sixers in their home semi-final however, they came unstuck in the most dramatic of circumstances – a Super Over defeat following a thrilling tie. 

The one to watch: Coach Daniel Vettori has made no secret of the emphasis he'll be placing on spin in his attack, and Shadab looms as a key figure in that strategy. He'll have big shoes to fill after the success of West Indian veteran Samuel Badree, but he looks a handful with his clever variations. Better still for the Heat, the Pakistani can bat – he had already made a first-class hundred and an ODI fifty. "Brendon (McCullum) played with him in the PSL and over in the CPL, and he was saying a lot of batsmen had trouble picking him early on," Vettori said. "He's got a lot of energy and he bowls at a good pace that will suit the Gabba wicket, much like Badree. That pace they're able to bowl allows them to control and also be attacking, so if he can combine those two things, then we've got a real weapon through those middle stages."

The pressure on: It has to be Lynn. The Heat's hopes of championship glory came crashing down with his neck injury last season so fingers will be crossed that the BBL's greatest master blaster can stay fit throughout the duration of the campaign. If he does, the Heat can win the title. It's that simple. 

The fixtures:

December 20 v Melbourne Stars at the Gabba

December 23 v Melbourne Renegades at Etihad Stadium

December 27 v Sydney Thunder at the Gabba

December 31 v Adelaide Strikers v Brisbane Heat at Adelaide Oval

January 2 v Melbourne Stars at the MCG

January 5 v Perth Scorchers at the Gabba

January 10 v Hobart Hurricanes at the Gabba

January 15 v Hobart Hurricanes at Blundstone Arena

January 18 v Sydney Sixers at the SCG

January 27 v Melbourne Renegades at the Gabba