Brisbane Heat intend to ‘get in the face’ of Adelaide Strikers batsman Matthew Renshaw

Jack Wildermuth hopes to give the Heat’s stuttering BBL campaign an ‘injection’ of life against a Strikers side containing a former teammate.

Brisbane Heat all-rounder Jack Wildermuth is poised to return from a back injury. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Heat all-rounder Jack Wildermuth has urged his side to “get in the face” of former Brisbane batsman Matt Renshaw at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

The Heat view Renshaw’s wicket as crucial in their bid to kickstart a BBL campaign that has netted just one win from four matches.

“He’ll be a key wicket for us, so we’ll try to put him under pressure big time,” Wildermuth of his Queensland Bulls Sheffield Shield teammate.

Former Test opener Renshaw is in his second season with the Strikers after a three-year stint with the Heat.

“We know how good he can be, so if we can get in his face and probably be really aggressive with our bowling to him, it’s going to be really important for us,” Wildermuth said.

“Sometimes he can go into his shell, sometimes he can go the other way. In the ring, it’ll be really important, the fielders more so, in terms of their intent around ‘Renners’.”

Wildermuth has missed the Heat’s past two matches with a back injury but is confident of returning on Thursday night.

“I’ve been battling with my back for the last little while and it probably came to a head about 10 days ago ... but it’s turned around really good, which is nice,” he said.

“Getting some home time has turned it around a little bit, so hopefully I’m up for Thursday night but feeling positive in knowing how many games we’ve got left.”

The Heat have 10 regular season matches remaining and need to get on a roll after yet another slow start to a BBL season.

The Heat hope to nullify the threat of former Brisbane batsman Matt Renshaw. Picture: Mark Kolbe/Getty Images

“I’m just trying to be as positive around the group as I can. I’m feeling pretty keen to dive in and give them that injection that they need at this stage of the tournament,” Wildermuth said.

“It’s a massive run (of games) after Christmas, which can actually be a really good thing sometimes.

“Getting out there and playing back-to-back games and putting training to the side a little is going to be a really good thing for us hopefully.

“It’s a big opportunity for us to get into the tournament.”

The Heat will be without Tom Abell for up to four weeks after the English import suffered a knee injury when he landed awkwardly in attempting to take a catch in Brisbane’s loss to the Sydney Thunder at the Gabba last Sunday night.

Also missing from the team beaten by the Thunder is leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson, who is with Australia’s Test squad in Melbourne.

All-rounder Nathan McSweeney and left-arm spinner Matt Kuhnemann have been added to Brisbane’s squad.

Heat squad for Thursday night’s match against the Adelaide Strikers at Adelaide Oval: Jimmy Peirson, Xavier Bartlett, James Bazley, Max Bryant, Tom Cooper, Ben Duckett, Cameron Gannon, Liam Guthrie, Sam Heazlett, Matt Kuhnemann, Chris Lynn, Nathan McSweeney, Mark Steketee, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Jack Wildermuth.

Originally published as Brisbane Heat intend to ‘get in the face’ of Adelaide Strikers batsman Matthew Renshaw