Big Bash League: Aussie Test star James Pattinson set to play for Brisbane Heat against Perth Scorchers

Fresh from snaring six Kiwi scalps in the Tests at the MCG and SCG, James Pattinson has been fast-tracked into the Brisbane Heat side as the Big Bash season hits a vital juncture.

James Pattinson is set to make his 2019/20 BBL bow.

• A ‘chucking’ offence doesn’t stain a career like it once did
• Top bidder for Warnie’s baggy green revealed

The return of Test paceman James Pattinson has boosted Brisbane’s hopes of a fourth consecutive win when the Heat tackle three-time Big Bash champions Perth Scorchers on Saturday night.

Fresh from snaring six Kiwi scalps in his return to international cricket in the Tests at the MCG and SCG, Pattinson has been fast-tracked back into Darren Lehmann’s Heat outfit.

The 29-year-old went for just 6.76 runs an over in last summer’s Big Bash and is set to join Josh Lalor and Ben Cutting in a star-studded pace attack at Optus Stadium.

Stream the Qantas Tour of India LIVE & On-Demand on KAYO with FOX CRICKET’s unmatched commentary line-up. New to Kayo? Get your 14-day free trial & start streaming instantly >

James Pattinson is set to make his 2019/20 BBL bow.

Lalor’s 3-21 in Brisbane’s five-wicket win against the Hurricanes on Thursday night saw him claim his 50th BBL wicket while man-of-the-match Cutting starred with 1-12 and three outfield catches before blasting 43 not out to steer the Heat home.

Cutting, 30, copped a brutal blow to the chest during his game-changing knock but said he was just relieved to see Brisbane get the monkey off their back and post a win batting second.

“There was a bit of suspense there because we’ve stuffed a few of those chases up in the past this year and the past couple of years where we’ve just fallen in a heap,” Cutting said.

“That meant a lot to us because you can get to a point and think ‘here we go again’ after you lose a couple of quick wickets like we did and the way we lost them as well. But it’s just nice to get over the line again with an over or two spare.

“I thought the way Jimmy Peirson (23 not out) anchored the innings was unbelievable, that was a serious knock from him.”

Cutting’s all-round efforts will be needed again if Brisbane are to upset the apple cart in Perth with the Scorchers desperate to build on Tuesday’s six-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades.

Ben Cutting proved the hero in the Heat’s win over the Hurricanes.

Perth openers Josh Inglis and Liam Livingstone passed 100 runs inside the 10-over mark and loom as dangermen for the visiting Heat, but Cutting and his fellow seamers will be up to the challenge.

“We bowled well (against Hobart) but we’ve been bowling well all tournament and there’s still a long way to go, we’re only halfway there,” Cutting said.

The Scorchers game will be the final appearances for Brisbane’s international duo Tom Banton and Zahir Khan this summer.

Banton will be replaced by South African legend AB de Villiers in Tuesday’s game against Adelaide at the Gabba while Afghani spinner Mujeeb Ur Rahman will return to the Heat in place of Khan.

De Villiers and Rahman will play out the remainder of the tournament for the Heat.