They’ll be without six game-breaking big guns but Brisbane Heat believe a nothing-to-lose approach can continue their roll of shock results at the Champions League Twenty20 tournament.
The Heat fly out for India on Sunday eying the $US2.5 million ($A2.71 million) winners’ prize to go along with the Big Bash League title they claimed with a spectacular backs-to-the-wall run in January.
Like the BBL, Brisbane will start as rank underdogs as international stars Shane Watson, Mitchell Johnson, Ryan Harris, Dan Vettori and Thisara Perera will all be missing.
Watson, Johnson and Perera will all be turning out for their IPL teams while Harris (hamstring) and Vettori (ankle) are injured and explosive opener Luke Pomersbach is staying at home for personal reasons.
But newly-appointed coach Stuart Law says the Heat will embrace their underdog status as they front up in pool B against Trinidad & Tobago, Titans (south Africa), Chennai Super Kings and a qualifier.
“I’ve always liked being an underdog,” Law said on Friday. “You go there and you can slip under the radar as well.
“There’s no pressure and usually when you play without any worries cricket seems to flow.
“Momentum is important in these tournaments. If you can win that first one, winning breeds winning.”
The Heat’s 15-man squad includes little-known pair Chris Sabburg and Brad Ipson who haven’t played first-class cricket.
West Indian quick Kemar Roach is their only current international and much is expected of him as well as Ben Cutting, Dan Christian, James Hopes and Nathan Hauritz.
Skipper Hopes is unperturbed by the lack of high-profile firepower and feels a team of battlers is capable of repeating the efforts of the Sydney Sixers last year.
The all-rounder tipped powerful seamer Cutting, back from groin surgery, to be a “massive” surprise-packet with his hard-hitting batting.
“Everyone is aware of what he can do with the ball but not many people would have seen first-hand what he’s capable with the bat,” Hopes said.
“If he can come off, then I think we’re going to have a good week.”
BBL runners-up Perth Scorchers are in pool A where they start their campaign against the Highveld Lions on September 23 and also play a qualifier, Mumbai Indians and Rajasthan Royals.
