Adelaide Strikers paceman Kane Richardson says he's ready to embrace the pressure of bowling at the death in the Big Bash League.
The big seamer is likely to be called upon in the late overs in the Strikers' season-opening clash with Melbourne Stars on Friday night at Adelaide Oval.
Richardson says he's confident he and fellow spearhead Ben Laughlin will deliver for the Strikers after notching up a combined 23 wickets in last year's campaign.
"Everyone remembers the last over," he said on Thursday.
"That's what your career is made on, those moments. You've got to embrace it. Having Benny Laughlin at the other end takes the pressure off because he's so good at what he does."
The Strikers will have to make do without veteran quick Shaun Tait, who has signed with the Hobart Hurricanes, and Gary Putland, ruled out for the season with a calf injury.
English spinner Adil Rashid has been named in the side's 13-man squad alongside untried ACT paceman Greg West.
Former Sri Lanka Test captain Mahela Jayawardene has bolstered the side's batting lineup in the absence of injured West Indies allrounder Kieron Pollard.
With the Stars boasting the likes of Kevin Pietersen, Glenn Maxwell and James Faulkner in their 13-man squad, Richardson said the Strikers weren't daunted by their rival's star-power.
"If one player has a good night, you win the game," he said.
"(Strikers wicketkeeper) Tim Ludeman last year against this team won the game off his own bat.
"We've changed the team a lot but I think we've still got a lot of players who are capable of having a good night and winning the game."
Ludeman smashed the fastest ever BBL half-century last time the Strikers faced the Stars, hitting 50 off 18 balls on his way to an unbeaten 92.
Strikers 13-man squad: Brad Hodge, Travis Head, Jon Holland, Mahela Jayawardene, Hamish Kingston, Ben Laughlin, Tim Ludeman, Michael Neser, Adil Rashid, Kane Richardson, Alex Ross, Craig Simmons, Greg West
Stars 13-man squad: David Hussey, Michael Beer, Scott Boland, James Faulkner, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, John Hastings, Ben Hilfenhaus, Glenn Maxwell, Kevin Pietersen, Marcus Stoinis, Luke Wright, Adam Zampa
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