Steve McGiffin was called up to Brisbane Heat’s BBL team after Covid ravaged the squad

Sometimes the greatest phone calls you receive happen when you least expect them. That’s what happened to Steve McGiffin.

Steve McGiffin of the Heat in action during the Men's Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Brisbane Heat at GMHBA Stadium, on January 06, 2022, in Geelong, Australia. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

A life-changing phone call can come at any time, and for Steve McGiffin it was when he was on a charter boat off the coast of Gladstone.

The former Mackay cricketer, who moved to the state’s capital to ply his trade in the Brisbane Premier League, was one of 10 players to receive an SOS call from the Brisbane Heat after Covid ravaged the existing squad.

McGiffin, who used to play for Pioneer Valley before moving south to play for Western Suburbs Districts in the state’s top competition, said he was lucky to get actually receive the call.

“We were a fair way offshore when I got the call, so I was pretty lucky because I only had one bar of reception,” he said.

“My mates and I saw all these players dropping out because of Covid, a few of the boys messaged me saying ‘get ready, you’re in’, but I didn’t think I was a chance.

“The initial squad was named months ago and I wasn’t a part of it, so I was never expecting any involvement.”

The all-rounder has enjoyed a strong season in the Premier League, averaging 40 with the bat and a top score of 126, and 18.8 with the ball with best figures of 4-15.

However, McGiffin saw his chance to shine on the brightest cricketing stage in the country, so made the eight-hour trip back to Brisbane to play.

“I’ve never played in front of a crowd more than 100 or so people before, and suddenly I’m flying to Melbourne and playing in front of grandstands that surround the entire field,” he said.

“It’s a dream of any cricketers to play at the top level, and it’s amazing to have gotten the opportunity to play against these great players on a massive stage.”

Steve McGiffin of the Heat in action during the Men's Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Brisbane Heat at GMHBA Stadium, on January 6, 2022, in Geelong, Australia. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

McGiffin has featured twice for the Heat, and with the full squad back after isolation, he has returned to the Premier League for the second half of the season.

Steve McGiffin of Western Suburbs Cricket team playing a shot against Wynnum Manly Sea Eagles at Graceville Memorial Park cricket ground, Graceville, Saturday, November 16, 2019.

He scored an unbeaten 14 against Melbourne Renegades and six runs against Hobart, while he got one over in each game with the ball, taking 0/16 and 0/7.

McGiffin said he hoped to carry some professional wisdom back to his team in the BPL.

“There were things the Heat did that just separates them from premier cricket,” he said.

“We had hour-long meetings that broke down the opposition batters and bowlers, spoke about techniques and how to beat other teams.

“We’ve got a two-day game this weekend, hopefully I can transition back into long-form cricket easily enough.”

Originally published as Steve McGiffin was called up to Brisbane Heat’s BBL team after Covid ravaged the squad