Mujeeb, Cutting lead Heat to win

Axed ODI batsman Chris Lynn says he was not surprised by his omission from the squad to face India, while revealing the Brisbane Heat were not afraid to engage in banter with the recently returned Cameron Bancroft in their KFC BBL clash.

The Brisbane Heat won their first match of BBL|08 on Saturday evening at Optus Stadium, with Lynn hitting a circumspect 33 from 34 balls to top score as the Heat enjoyed a comfortable five-wicket win.

QUICK SINGLE Heat break through for first BBL|08 win

The knock came 24 hours after it was announced Lynn had been dumped from Australia's World Cup plans after scoring 59 runs at 19.66 in three matches against South Africa last November.

"I didn't put the runs on the board and, look, there's plenty of other guys out there scoring runs," Lynn told Macquarie Radio today.

"I never get too far ahead of myself (and) the main thing is I'm having fun playing cricket for the Brisbane Heat.

"Playing for Australia is a bonus. I'll never get too disappointed – obviously you get a little disappointed if you're dropped – but I have no expectation that I'm locked in for that side, because I didn't put the runs on the board.

"I knew it was going to be 50-50 and it is what it is. I really enjoy my cricket for the Heat so I'm ok with it."

Clutch Cutting ices game for Heat

The Heat beat a Perth Scorchers side featuring Bancroft playing his second game back after serving his nine-month suspension for his role in the Cape Town ball-tampering saga last year.

Bancroft opened for the Scorchers, taking 10 balls to get off the mark – a BBL record – and Heat spearhead James Pattinson was not afraid to serve up a verbal response.

"(Bancroft) played a couple of balls and Jimmy was into him: 'Mate you had nine months to get that front pad out of the way' and stuff like that. It was good banter," Lynn said.

"'Bangers' is a good kid, one of the hardest trainers I've ever seen so he's going to come back really strong, but I still think there's going to be a couple of guys ahead of him (for a national call-up)."

Lynn said he felt "there was a long way to go" for Bancroft in terms of a national recall.

"There's two blokes in our side in Matthew Renshaw and Joe Burns who deserve a chance at the next level again," Lynn said.

"I know JL (Australia coach Justin Langer) is a big fan of 'Bangers' so he's going to be – I won't say gifted a spot – but be more in favour.

"But hopefully the two Queensland boys can get it done because they're two quality players."

QUICK SINGLE Mujeeb making huge impression

Lynn tipped Renshaw to become a three-format player for Australia and labelled him the best Test batsman in Australia.

"He's the type of bloke that doesn’t always come to an optional training session, but that's because he knows his game inside out, he's happy to take on the spin like you have to," Lynn said.

"He's a little smart arse, but I think that works for him. He puffs his chest out, he gives a lot of stick out, but he cops it too, and is happy to move forward with it.

"I think he's got to play Test cricket. I think he's the best batsman in Australia in the longer format of the game, and down the track I think he can play all formats for Australia."