Big Bash: Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch yet to suit up for the Melbourne Renegades

Three games into the season for the Melbourne Renegades and a first appearance from one star has yet to happen.

Aaron Finch is yet to play for the Renegades (Photo by Robert Cianflone/Getty Images)

The Melbourne Renegades are hopeful of welcoming back the star-studded duo of World Cup-winning captain Aaron Finch and paceman James Pattinson for their next BBL assignment against Perth after suffering a five-wicket loss to the Brisbane Heat on Monday night.

Finch (knee) and Pattinson (general soreness) missed the defeat at the hands of the Heat at Metricon Stadium on the Gold Coast which saw the Renegades fall to the bottom of the BBL ladder with one win and two losses to start their campaign.

Brisbane lifted themselves out of the cellar with their first victory of the season with Sam Heazlett (44 off 29) and James Bazley (16 off 12 and 3/28) the stars of the show for the Heat who made hard work of the run chase after Chris Lynn got off to a flyer with 32 runs off just 15 balls.

Mackenzie Harvey carried his bat for the Renegades to finish with 71 runs off 56 balls in Melbourne’s sluggish 6/140 and said the side would welcome back Finch and Pattinson with open arms when they host the Scorchers at Docklands on December 22.

“We are hoping but that’s up to him (Finch). He’s been away for a while and away from his family so hopefully he can be back but we understand if he’s not and hopefully Jimmy Pattinson can be back as well with a little bit of soreness over the past couple of days but it shouldn’t be too bad,’’ Harvey said.

“We’re obviously disappointed but we know we can play a lot better and we can beat the top teams. There’s some positive signs there.’’

James Pattinson could be back soon for the Renegades. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Harvey said acting captain Nic Maddinson brought the same level of cricket knowledge but a more relaxed approach than Finch.

“He’s a really good captain, I reckon. He’s pretty close to Finchy. To add him into out batting is something we really looked forward to.’’

Brisbane matchwinner Heazlett said the victory was an important confidence boost ahead of the Heat hosting the Sydney Thunder at the Gabba on Sunday.

“The last few years we’ve had slow starts unfortunately. We wanted to buck that trend this year but weren’t able to. We know we can come back from this position and make finals and give it a real crack,’’ he said

“You are always nervous when you are on zero points and you want to get off the mark and we have now and that takes a bit of weight off our shoulders. We know we’ve got the skills to make plenty of runs and take wickets and win games.

Sam Heazlett was the matchwinner for Brisbane. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

“We still haven’t had a polished batting performance yet. We still want to dominate teams but it was good to get the first win of the season. Credit to the bowlers, they made it easy for us batters.’’

Heazlett said the 4am arrival at the team hotel on Monday after crossing the border was not a distraction for the Heat who had been based in Kingscliff after playing in Perth.

“It was an interesting one. Wake-up at 1am and get ready. When you start at 6pm you can sleep all day,” he said.

“But it’s nice to get the cricket underway and we’ll do whatever it takes.”