Sizzling Heat too good for Stars

Having secured just their second finals berth in the history of the KFC Big Bash League, the Brisbane Heat now hope to be boosted by the return of their two frontline international stars.

New Zealand batsman and Heat skipper Brendon McCullum missed last night’s seven-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars due to a one-match suspension for slow over rates, while West Indies leg-spinner Samuel Badree has missed Brisbane's last three matches due to a hamstring injury.

McCullum will return to lead his side in the final match of the regular season against the Melbourne Renegades at the Gabba on Friday, while Badree is also considered a strong chance of slotting back into the XI as the Heat aim to lock in top spot on the table.

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Heat coach Dan Vettori will no doubt be pleased with the impressive performances of his more unheralded players in the absence of Badree and McCullum, alongside power-hitting machine Chris Lynn who yesterday saw a specialist regarding his ongoing neck injury.

"We were missing a few of our big players and everyone stood up tonight," Brisbane’s stand-in captain Joe Burns told media after play.

"I guess in some respects the pressure was on the Stars.

"We just wanted to go out there and play with as much freedom as possible."

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Left-arm quick Tymal Mills completed his two-match stint as Badree’s international replacement with tidy figures of 1-20, with his focus now turning to national duties as he prepares to link up with the England T20 squad in India on Thursday.

Badree will be put through his paces at the Heat’s main training session on Thursday ahead of the sold-out clash the following evening against a Renegades line-up who must win to have any hope of experiencing finals action.

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Should the 35-year-old return to the line-up, he will again form a potent combination with rising star Mitch Swepson.

The young Queensland leggie celebrated his recent selection in Australia’s Test squad for the Qantas Tour of India with figures of 2-14 from his four overs in a player-of-the-match performance at the MCG last night.

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Swepson’s increasing belief in his own ability, along with Badree’s miserly bowling that has seen him concede just 6.12 runs an over this season, means the Heat have a pair of slow bowlers that complement each other in a competition where spin continues to play a vital role.

"They’re both leg-spinners, but they bowl at completely different times,” Burns said of the dynamic duo.

"At the Gabba, we’ve found a way to manage having two leg-spinners in our side and perform well."

A win on Friday would guarantee a home final in front of what would likely be another packed house at the Gabba, while a loss would see McCullum’s men finish as low as third depending on the results of Saturday’s double-header.

It marks the best regular season finish in the club’s history, although their fourth-placed finish in BBL|02 was enough to go through and claim the title under captain Chris Hartley.