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Heat depth leaves batting trio in cold

Established names omitted with Brisbane set to debut two teens against BBL champs Adelaide

Brisbane Heat are set to unleash teenage opener Max Bryant alongside Kiwis legend Brendon McCullum and new captain Chris Lynn in an explosive top three when the KFC BBL season opens tomorrow night at the Gabba.

Queensland Bulls pair Matt Renshaw and Marnus Labuschagne, as well as 'The Sweepologist' Alex Ross, have all been left out of the Heat's 13-man squad against the Adelaide Strikers to underscore the batting depth of the team in teal.

Bryant goes bananas against South Australia

Bryant hit Queensland's fastest-ever fifty during the JLT One-Day Cup in September and the 19-year-old has been touted as a worthy addition to the 'Bash Brothers' moniker owned by McCullum and Lynn.

"Max has performed well when given opportunities for Queensland this summer, and he has been hitting the ball with the power we know he has during training, so we are excited to give him an opportunity," said Heat coach Dan Vettori.

"This is the first time we have started a campaign with 18 fully fit and available players. Some difficult decisions were made when picking the squad, particularly with our batters, but more than anything it shows we have great depth. So, it's a good problem to have.

"While there are some disappointed players who won't be taking the field tomorrow night, the extended season means we will almost certainly need to call on everyone throughout the season, so everyone is very positive we can start the season well against Adelaide."

Bryant won't be the only teenage debutant in teal; Afghanistan's 17-year-old spin sensation Mujeeb Ur Rahman is set to form a potent spin combination with leggie Mitch Swepson.

Mujeeb, the youngest player in BBL|08, is set to square off against compatriot and fellow teenage spinner Rashid Khan, who was a dominant figure last summer as the Strikers surged to a maiden title.

The Strikers are set to debut new signing Matt Short, who joins the champions from Melbourne Renegades, while South African import Colin Ingram has been named captain in the absence of Test batsman Travis Head.

Brisbane Heat (13-man squad): Chris Lynn (c), Max Bryant, Joe Burns, Ben Cutting, Brendan Doggett, Sam Heazlett, Josh Lalor, Brendon McCullum, James Pattinson, James Peirson (wk), Mark Steketee, Mitchell Swepson, Mujeeb Ur Rahman.

Adelaide Strikers (13-man squad): Colin Ingram (c), Alex Carey (wk), Rashid Khan, Ben Laughlin, Jake Lehmann, Michael Neser, Liam O'Connor, Matt Short, Peter Siddle, Billy Stanlake, Cameron Valente, Jake Weatherald, Jon Wells.