In contrast to his 2012 Indian Premier League (IPL) exit, Luke Pomersbach can set the stage for a triumphant – and lucrative – return to the premier Twenty20 tournament with more batting heroics at the Gabba on Saturday.
In the absence of Australian call-up Usman Khawaja, Pomersbach looms as the key for Queensland in their one-day clash with his former team Western Australia as they look to stay in the finals mix.
The third-placed Bulls are on 15 points with two regular-season games left before the February 27 decider – four behind leaders Victoria and trailing No.2 outfit South Australia – who have a game in hand – by three.
All eyes are on Pomersbach in just his second one-dayer for Queensland as he looks to pick up where he left off from the Big Bash League where he thumped 397 runs to help the Brisbane Heat claim the title.
And the stage is set for the big-hitting left-hander to add another chapter to his stirring comeback tale.
Another match-winning knock will all but ensure his $50,000 reserve price in Sunday’s IPL auction will skyrocket – especially after Queensland and Heat coach Darren Lehmann on Friday was given the all clear to coach Kings XI Punjab in the 2013 IPL.
It is a scenario that would have been almost inconceivable when Pomersbach ended his last IPL stint for Royal Challengers Bangalore last year in less than illustrious circumstances.
The WA-bred dasher’s career was at a crossroads after he was arrested for assault in India, however, he was cleared when charges were withdrawn.
It came after being dumped by the Warriors for alcohol-related discipline breaches.
However, Pomersbach has not looked back since being thrown a lifeline by Queensland in mid-2012.
He is among seven Queenslanders who have put their name forward for the IPL auction on Sunday.
But their main priority will be keeping the Bulls’ finals chances alive – a task that will be made much easier with victory over Pomersbach’s former side the Warriors this weekend.
Queensland can sneak into the tournament decider with one win from their final two games, but will definitely contest the final if they down WA and are victorious in their last game on February 16 against Victoria.
Players are keeping their fingers crossed there will be no repeat of the wet weather that washed out last weekend’s Gabba one-dayer against Tasmania without a ball being bowled.
Greg Moller has been called in to replace Khawaja at the Bulls who will take on a strong WA outfit boasting the likes of Shaun Marsh, Adam Voges and Mike Hussey and buzzing from their bonus-point 111-run win over NSW on Wednesday night.