Adding injury to insult, Brisbane Heat will need to bounce back from Saturday night’s three-wicket Big Bash League Twenty20 loss to Hobart Hurricanes without their skipper James Hopes.
The allrounder was ruled out of the away clash with Melbourne Renegades after suffering an abdominal strain fielding in the final over of Hobart’s record run chase.
Hobart silenced the 20,457-strong Gabba crowd when they eclipsed Brisbane’s BBL record target of 3-209 with four balls to spare.
Needing 10 off the last over to win, ex-Test seamer Ben Hilfenhaus – yet to face a ball – thrashed a four and then a six off Ben Cutting (1-39) to ensure the visitors cruised to their opening BBL win.
The chase was set up by former Queensland reserve keeper Ben Dunk (67 off 33 balls) and late heroics by Jon Wells (36 not out off 20).
Brisbane are yet to name a new captain but Australian under 19 quick Mark Steketee has been called into the squad.
Heat squad: Joe Burns, Dan Christian, Ben Cutting, Peter Forrest, Cameron Gannon, Nathan Hauritz, Craig Kieswetter, Chris Lynn, Alister McDermott, Luke Pomersbach, Chris Sabburg, Mark Steketee, Daniel Vettori (one to be omitted, 12th man to be named).