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A four-wicket win over reigning BBL champions the Sydney Sixers has Brisbane eyeing a push to the finals with captain Chris Lynn nearing a return from injury.
Hold the phone. The Brisbane Heat’s Big Bash season might not be done and dusted just yet.
The Heat’s four-wicket win over BBL champions the Sydney Sixers at the Gabba on Saturday, combined with the Melbourne Stars’ defeat to Hobart means Brisbane are just three points off fifth place.
A win over the table-topping Sydney Thunder on Monday could be enough to lift the Heat into a finals berth, with the Stars again facing the Hurricanes in Hobart on Monday as well.
There’s also a chance talismanic captain Chris Lynn might make an earlier-than-expected return for the Heat as he continues to recover from a hamstring strain.
Lynn batted in the nets before Saturday’s clash with the Sixers and stand-in captain Jimmy Peirson said the 30-year-old appears to be healing well.
“He’s pushing his body to get back as fast as he can,” Peirson said.
“Obviously we want him back as quick as we can, he’s our leader and our best player.”
Lynn was originally slated to miss six games with a scheduled January 14 return, and while that remains the plan, Peirson wouldn’t be surprised if he comes home early.
“I’m not sure where he’s at just yet, if we’ll get him in a couple of nights’ time or not,” said Peirson.
“But when he comes back in, that brings a whole lot of confidence in our batting and our leadership group as well,” the wicketkeeper-batsman added.
While Lynn may soon be back in teal, Afghanistan’s looming three-game one-day tour against Ireland in the UAE later this month may rob the Heat of their teenage spinner Mujeeb Ur-Rahman.
Mujeeb, Adelaide Strikers’ star Rashid Khan and Melbourne Renegades allrounder Mohammad Nabi may all be called up for the series.
“I’d imagine if those guys are going, Mujeeb would be in that conversation as well,” Peirson said.
“Luckily, we’ve got Matty Kuhnemann and I’m not sure what Mitch Swepson’s availability is going to be like coming out of that Test team.
“If we can get those guys coming in as Mujeeb leaves, then no worries there.”
© AAP
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