A NATIONAL call-up is on the cards for Brisbane Heat leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson if he can produce another eye-catching Big Bash League season.

That is the view of New Zealand’s greatest ever spinner and Heat coach Dan Vettori ahead of Wednesday night’s season opener against the Melbourne Stars at the Gabba.

Swepson will form a promising leg-spinning combination with Brisbane’s new international recruit, Pakistani teenager Shadab Khan.

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The 24-year-old Swepson has caught the eye of “The King of Spin” Shane Warne during the past two BBL summers and toured India and Bangladesh with the Australian Test team this year.

He is yet to represent his country but the opportunity to play a Twenty20 international is there to be taken with Australia to face New Zealand and England in a series in February.

media_camera Brisbane Heat spinner Mitch Swepson can push for higher honours, says coach Daniel Vettori.

“He just keeps putting performances together,” said Vettori, who took 362 Test wickets.

“If he can put season after season together, that’s when you start getting looked at for those higher honours.

“He’s been in squads in the past but if he can keep replicating his form then he’s got an opportunity to knock on their door.

“He does the job every time he goes out there to bowl. He’s been our most consistent bowler and real go-to guy for Brendon (McCullum, captain).

“He knows how he needs to bowl, particularly at the Gabba, and Brendon knows when he can use him to take wickets and stem the run flow.

“He’s becoming the complete package as a bowler in T20 cricket. That’s what you’re looking for every time he goes on the field.”

Swepson took 12 wickets in nine BBL matches last summer as the Heat fell one win short of the final.

His selection for the subcontinent tours proves he is in the national mix but he will have to outshine the likes of Adam Zampa and Cameron Boyce to earn a spot in the upcoming tri-series.

Swepson said he wanted to play all three forms of the game and prove he was a versatile bowler.

“The modern day player has to be able to adapt to all formats,” he said.

“You want to play every format in the game and that’s certainly my goal.

“The pinnacle is playing Test cricket for your country. That’s a massive goal of mine. But you’d be stupid to ignore all the other formats in an attempt to get there at one level.

“I’m always trying to improve in all formats.”

The Heat started last summer in sensational form, winning four of their first five matches to bolt into title contention.

They slowed down late in the tournament following a suspension to their captain McCullum and Chris Lynn’s unavailability, eventually losing a thrilling semi-final to the Sydney Sixers.

Swepson said it was crucial the Heat started strongly again to build momentum.

“You need to start well – that’s been a trend,” he said.

“If you don’t start well it’s really hard to gain momentum and get to the finals.

“Last year we knew were in the finals early, whether that crept into us and we lost some momentum, or the other teams just turned up and we didn’t, it’s hard to know.”