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AB de Villiers will come into the Brisbane heat to replace Englishman Tom Banton who has three half-centuries for 223 runs in the BBL.
South African legend AB de Villiers has some big shoes to fill at BBL’s Brisbane Heat.
The man he’s replacing, Tom Banton, left quite the mark on the tournament over the opening eight matches.
The Heat now have four wins and four losses, and changeover in international players as Banton and Zahir Khan make way for the incoming de Villiers and Mujeeb Ur Rahman.
While there’s no questioning the quality of the incoming pair, who are expected to play against the Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Tuesday, they’re replacing two players who performed well.
Khan has played all eight games for eight wickets with an impressive economy rate of just 6.58.
Again in Saturday night’s 34-run loss at Optus Stadium to the Perth Scorchers where the home team posted their highest ever score of 3-213, Khan was the best of the bowlers with 1-33.
The pressure is on 18-year-old Mujeeb to keep up the work Khan had done.
As significant a signing as de Villiers is for the Heat as an 114-Test, 228-ODI and 78 T20 international South Africa superstar, Banton was terrific.
Banton delivered three half-centuries for 223 runs at an average of 31.85 and dazzling strike rate 176.98.
He was the Heat’s biggest threat of producing a miracle chase against the Scorchers too hitting 55 from 32 balls before falling to a must-see catch from Fawad Ahmed off his own bowling.
The 21-year-old Englishman has been a revelation on debut in the BBL with the Heat and he enjoyed playing his last game in Perth.
“It’s a good wicket here and I’ve heard a lot about it over the years, and it’s obviously been quite quick and bouncy,” Banton said.
“But it was nice to bat on and we needed 12 an over so I thought I would just go for it. It was always going to be a tricky chase.
“This is my last game unfortunately and I’m going to go home for ten days now to rest up. I’ve loved my time here, it’s been good fun.”
© AAP
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