Strikers wary of big-hitting McCullum

Dec 20, 2016 - 7:15 AM The Adelaide Strikers are hopeful a bit of inside information can blunt Brendon McCullum's impact on the Big Bash League before the Kiwi great has a chance to get started.

McCullum will captain the Brisbane Heat for the first time in Wednesday night's clash with the Strikers at Adelaide Oval.

The Heat have failed to qualify for the last three BBL finals series but are counting on the electrifying 35-year-old's presence and power-hitting to help turn things around this season.

The Strikers, meanwhile, are relying on coach Brad Hodge - who is also McCullum's coach at Indian Premier League team Gujarat Lions - for strategies on how to get him out.

"If anyone knows the best, it's probably him," said paceman Kane Richardson.

"But it's hard to restrict someone like that.

"You can have all the plans in the world but he could do something completely the opposite.

"I've bowled about 10 balls to him in my career and they've gone for about 50, I reckon.

"He's a champion, a really good player. But he hasn't had a lot of gametime. That's probably the one thing we're hoping for - that he's coming off not much cricket and hopefully it takes him a while to warm into the tournament."

McCullum was signed to play for the Heat last season but missed the entire BBL due to international commitments.

Fellow Brisbane import Samuel Badree reckons he's already had a huge impact, giving the team "free license" to play as they want.

"The experience he brings, the sort of freedom he gives us players, the confidence, that's the mindset he brings to the team," Badree said.

"He's a class act, if he gets going it's going to be difficult to stop him.

"We know how difficult it is to restrain him, he's key for us."

Source: AAP