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FEELING THE HEAT: and are ready for the Big Bash League. Picture: Annette Dew Now Windies seek handouts

BEN DORRIES mented the plight of in TRAVIS MEYN the Caribbean. The leggie has not played a LEG-SPINNER Samuel Bad- Test for the West Indies, but ree claims the West Indies des- has played 22 T20 internation- perately need financial help als. from the International Cricket “It is painful to be a player Council and Caribbean gov- and see the level the West In- ernments. dies have reached,’’ Badree But the Heat also said. ‘’There has been a lot of needs help, after finishing the conjecture about the reasons. Big Bash League with the “We need help whether it BIG BASH wooden spoon last season. comes from the ICC or the The leggie wants to be the governments of the West In- match-winner the Heat have dies. We need help to get crick- been craving. et back on the right track.’ “As one of the international With Badree likely to take players, I need to step up to the the new ball tonight – or at challenge,’’ Badree said in the least bowl in the early overs – HEAT V lead-up to the Heat’s clash the contest between him and RENEGADES against the Melbourne Rene- fellow West Indian Chris 6PM, gades at the Gabba tonight. Gayle will be tantalising. “People doubted spinners Gayle will use a golden-col- WATCH LIVE ON CHANNEL 10 initially in cricket oured bat and Badree has ad- but you have seen the success mitted he will need some 13-MAN SQUAD: of slow bowlers as the game golden luck to nab Gayle’s (c), Samuel Badree, has gone on. Spinners all over . , , Andrew the world have adapted well dasher Lendl Sim- Fekete, Jason Floros, , (to T20 cricket).’’ mons, the nephew of West In- , Josh Lalor, Jimmy Heat coach Daniel Vettori dian coach Phil, is another Peirson, Nathan Reardon, Lendl expects Badree to adjust well Calypso key for the Heat. Simmons, Mark Steketee. to at the Gabba, given Coach Vettori said Sim- he is quick through the air with mons can be even more explo- his cunning spin. sive than Heat signing 13-MAN SQUAD: “He’s had success every- Brendon McCullum, who is (c), , where he has gone,’’ Vettori not available to play for Bris- , , said. ‘‘That’s what made us bane this season. , Tom Beaton, , , Chris comfortable with bringing him “If you watch him (Sim- Tremain, Xavier Doherty, Nathan to the Gabba. mons) bat in the nets he slogs it Rimmington, , “His bowling can translate even more than Brendon . well here, particularly at the does,’’ Vettori said. Gabba given he bowls quite The Heat also believe their quick. new left-arm swing bowler “Batsmen are slightly fear- Josh Lalor could be effective ful of him and he can dictate against Gayle. what is going on.’’ “Josh Lalor with the ability Badree, who was to play for to swing it away can combat the Heat last season until he Chris’ destructive nature,’’ said busted his shoulder, has la- Vettori. Nevill would glove a huge crowd for his Boxing Day debut

CARLY ADNO be one,’’ Nevill said. “You usu- bit different, this time I’ll actu- promoting him up the batting it’s been a wonderful ride so far ally get 100,000 people at the ally be on the field. order. and it’s been a lot of fun.’’ THIS time last year Peter Nev- opening of a letter in Mel- “It’s something you dream He has notched up two half Nevill said the team was not ill was struggling to get a game bourne, so I’m hoping they’ll of as a kid, but you never think centuries and has been solid paying any attention to what’s for the Melbourne Renegades turn out on day one. you’re definitely going to get behind the stumps, but he going on with the Windies, in the Big Bash League. “I grew up and played for there. knows he has to maintain the with the focus being on im- On Boxing Day he will fulfil the Melbourne Cricket Club “It’s only been a possibility consistency to keep his place. proving its own performance. a lifelong dream by playing in for six years before I moved to and now a reality in the last “It feels great,’’ Nevill said. “We’re looking to bounce the Boxing Day Test. Sydney and as a kid I went a lot few years. ‘‘I’m as comfortable as I back strongly in Melbourne, The 30-year-old hopes fans of times to the Boxing Day “I certainly didn’t think I think you can be. but all we can focus on is what will turn out in their usual Test. It was a very special oc- was definitely going to do it “You need to perform and if we can do as a team,” he said. numbers despite the lack of casion. and it’s certainly a dream come you don’t perform you won’t “You need to focus on con- quality competition dished up “I always went there with true.’’ find yourself in the team for tinuing to play good cricket from the West Indies so far. my dad, so my dad and I are Nevill has hardly put a foot very long, that’s just the reality and I won’t be worried about “I’d love to see a big crowd both going to be there again. wrong in his eight Tests. of it. what the West Indies are KEEPING IT REAL: Australia’s there and I imagine there will ‘‘It’s just going to be a little There has even been talk of “I love being in the group, doing.” wicketkeeper .

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