Brisbane Heat captain Jimmy Peirson admits hard questions need to be asked of their roster with cult hero Chris Lynn among those off contract.
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The Heat slumped to their sixth straight loss to end the Big Bash League season on Wednesday, with a 27-run loss to the Sydney Sixers.
The result ensured the Sixers finish second, guaranteeing one more game at the SCG next week with a potential home grand final if they beat Perth on Sunday.
But it also added to the Heat's woes, as they narrowly avoided the wooden spoon with a season that included just three wins.
The Heat endured two games without the bulk of their squad through COVID-19, but Peirson conceded it was not an excuse and changes were likely needed in their batting ranks.
"I was really pleased with our bowling this year, we have some really impactful players that we can look to keep and re-sign," Peirson said
"Obviously when the team isn't scoring runs, you need to ask if you've got the right people in the right positions.
"But those questions will be asked, the powers to be will make those decisions.
"We'll get our recruiting started and make sure we have the right people in the right positions come next year and win some games."
Brisbane's issues were summed up by the fact they fell to 4-43 in their pursuit of the Sixers' 6-178 at the Gabba on Wednesday, before finishing at 8-151.
Lynn's future is a talking point at Brisbane.
He passed 3000 BBL runs on his way to making 19 before slapping uppishly to cover, a familiar scene in a season in which he's passed 32 just once in 12 innings.
The slump is a far cry from the form he was in, despite a host of injury setbacks, when he signed a rich, five-year deal that expires this season.
The loyal Heat servant, replaced as captain by Jimmy Peirson this season, could be forced to look elsewhere or retire from the BBL and continue to tour the international T20 circuit.
Lynn's exit after a bright start was followed by Labuschagne's for just three, while the returning Nathan Lyon found Sam Heazlett's edge to make it 4-43.
Peirson (42 off 23) and Max Bryant (56 off 55) combined to put some pressure back on the Sixers, Bryant notching back-to-back BBL half-centuries for the first time.
The jig was up though when the captain holed out to the miserly Stephen O'Keefe (1-21 off four), leaving them 51 to get off 19 balls before Bryant followed soon after.
Hayden Kerr (3-23) took his tournament tally to 22 wickets, one shy of leading wicket-taker Peter Siddle.
Australian Associated Press
