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BBL Fantasy Preview: Brisbane Heat

After a disappointing BBL|05, the men in teal have recruited wisely and are chock-full of Fantasy value

Squad: Samuel Badree (OS), Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Alex Doolan, Andrew Fekete, Luke Feldman, Jason Floros, Sam Heazlett, Marnus Labuschagne, Josh Lalor, Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum (capt; OS), James Peirson, Nathan Reardon, Alex Ross, Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Jack Wildermuth.

Ins: Alex Ross (Strikers), Marnus Labuschagne

Outs: Lendl Simmons (OS), Nicholas Buchanan, Peter Forrest, James Hopes

Master Blaster: Brendon McCullum ($75,000)

McCullum was on the Heat's books last summer but didn't play a game owing to international commitments, with the long-term plan being that the former Black Caps skipper would be free and ready to make an impact in BBL|06. Now the Heat have one of the world's most dangerous hitters at their disposal … and at an affordable $75,000, you shoulder seriously consider doing the same. The Kiwi dasher will enjoy the pace and bounce of Australian pitches and when you take into account the fact he carted the fastest-ever Test ton earlier this year, it would be fair to think he still possesses the capacity to win a match in a blink. For those who aren't convinced, there's another serious 'master blaster' in this Heat line-up – six-hitting specialist and absolute star of BBL|05, Chris Lynn ($91,500).

Strike weapon: Mitch Swepson ($71,100)

Swepson made a splash on debut in last summer's BBL, claiming two wickets and earning the praise of the great Shane Warne for his ability to give his leg breaks a proper rip. He finished with four wickets in two matches, striking every 10.5 balls, and with another year under his belt – including some valuable experience with Australia A – you can expect the 23-year-old to again make an impact. He might cost big runs on occasion, but the Queensland leggie is a wicket-taker.

Swepson spins out two on debut

Young gun: Marnus Labuschagne ($30,000)

Heat coach Daniel Vettori must have been licking his lips at the form of young Queensland Bulls batsman Labuschagne throughout the Matador One-Day Cup and the opening phase of the Sheffield Shield season. The right-hander was the player of the one-day tournament and Vettori wasted no time snapping him up. Confident, classy and a gun in the field, the South Africa-born Brisbane boy shapes as an outstanding inclusion for the Heat – and excellent value for any shrewd Fantasy player.

Marvellous Marnus leads Bulls home

Overseas impact: Samuel Badree ($67,200)

The Heat are onto a winner with Badree, and plenty of Fantasy players will be as well. One of the world's best T20 bowlers, the West Indian leg-spinner has had a huge impact opening the bowling in the international game, and took five wickets doing likewise against the Stars last summer. Expect the 35-year-old to continue taking the new ball, and he's every chance to improve on his wickets tally of nine from BBL|05.

January: Watch all of Samuel Badree's five wickets

Surprise packet: Alex Ross ($42,500)

One of the Strikers' most consistent middle-order performers last summer, Ross has switched blue for teal and adds some real depth to the Heat's middle order. While he picked up the nickname of 'The Sweepologist' in BBL|05 due to his penchant for playing that shot, there's plenty more to his batting than the moniker suggests. He's an asset in the field as well, as this 'Superman' catch underlines.

'You will not see a better outfield catch'

Fantasy bargain: Jack Wildermuth ($20,000)

The beginning of allrounder Wildermuth's season was delayed due to a back problem, but the extra time spent working on his batting has clearly paid dividends; he's made 93 and 76 in Queensland's last two Shield matches and looked very much the part at first-class level. The 23-year-old was in the Heat squad last season but is yet to make his BBL debut, which means his price is extremely attractive – as are his talents with both bat and ball. 

Wildermuth falls narrowly short of century

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