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Strap yourself in! The first of 61 Big Bash matches is about to be played as the new-look Brisbane Heat host the Sydney Thunder at the Gabba.

Darren Lehmann has returned to professional coaching and returns to the role he held before taking on the Australian head coach role.

It's the start of a new era at the Heat, with former Black Caps captain Brendon McCullum retiring from the Big Bash where he formed a formidable top order partnership with fellow bash brother Chris Lynn.

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Lynn remains the Heat's major weapon and he'll soon be joined by South African great AB de Villiers.

But before he arrives, Lynn's young prodigy will be Englishman Tom Banton, who Michael Vaughan believes could be the next Kevin Pietersen.

For anyone doubting his capacity to hit a long ball, just days ago he bludgeoned a century off just 35 balls in Queensland grade cricket.

Follow all the build up and live coverage of the Big Bash opener in our blog below!

Next KP set for BBL

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The Heat's bowling attack has some familiarity about it, but the return of Ben Laughlin should add some subtlety and variety to the seam bowlers.

Zahir Khan is the young exciting prospect and the 20-year-old left-arm wrist spinner from Afghanistan will be eager to impress and continue the trend of talented young slow bowlers coming from the Subcontinent.

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Meanwhile, the Sydney Thunder's batting stocks have been bolstered by the availability of Usman Khawaja and the return to the Big Bash of English international Alex Hales.

Before being banished from England's squad following his positive recreational drug reading earlier in the year, Hales was considered one of the best short-form batsmen in the world.

The Big Bash is his road to redemption.

The Thunder have named three spinners in their squad, including 17-year-old leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha.

Brisbane Heat squad:

Chris Lynn (c), Tom Banton, Max Bryant, Ben Cutting, Cameron Gannon, Sam Heazlett, Josh Lalor, Ben Laughlin, Jimmy Peirson, Matt Renshaw, Mark Steketee, Zahir Khan

Last season: Fifth

Sydney Thunder squad:

Callum Ferguson (c), Jonathan Cook, Matthew Gilkes, Chris Green, Alex Hales, Liam Hatcher, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McAndrew, Arjun Nair, Alex Ross, Dan Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Chris Tremain

Last season: Sixth