Khawaja backing hot Heat to scorch BBL finals rivals

THEY’VE been the Cinderella story of the BBL finals, and Usman Khawaja is backing the Heat to add another chapter to their dream run even though he and his fellow Test stars are unavailable for Thursday’s game against the Sixers.

The Heat started the season poorly but turned it all around when Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw returned from Test duty. They finished the regular season with four wins from their final five matches and should have won their last game only to stuff up the run chase against Hobart, but they’ve since knocked off the Thunder and the Renegades on the road, with Khawaja saving his best for the finals.

Unfortunately for the Heat, the star trio are all off to India for the Test tour, but it does mean guys like Max Bryant and Nathan McSweeney can get another crack, with the latter already putting on a clinic against the Sixers this season.

That was the first of McSweeney’s three games this season when he blasted 84 off 51 in their shock win at the Gabba, and it’s why Khawaja says they can get the job done again in Sydney with a spot in the grand final on the line. “To be where we are now is a credit to the team for their fight and resolve. It’s exceeded my expectation, if I’m being totally honest,” the departing skipper said.

“The way the guys have embraced a lot of pressure situations (has been great).

“The depth is there and the bowling has been great all year, so we might be able to pull out another win.”

This year’s BBL has been a raging success, with scintillating action leading to bumper crowds and huge ratings thanks to overseas players coming in and Australian Test stars returning for the backend of the tournament.

It’s a shame guys like Khawaja and Steve Smith won’t be available for the final two games.

But that could change next year with a shortened schedule for the tournament set to be brought in.