Pattinson’s return puts heat on Brisbane’s rivals

THE return of Test paceman James Pattinson (pictured) has boosted Brisbane Heat’s hopes of a fourth consecutive win when they tackle three-time champions the Perth Scorchers tonight.

Fresh from snaring six Kiwi scalps in his return to Test cricket, Pattinson has been fast-tracked back into Darren Lehmann’s side at the expense of fellow quick Mark Steketee.

Set to join Josh Lalor and Ben Cutting in a star-studded pace attack, Pattison went for just 6.76 runs an over in the 2018-19 BBL tournament.

Lalor’s three-for against the Hurricanes included his 50th

BBL wicket, while man-of-thematch Cutting starred with 1-12 and three outfield catches before blasting 43 not out to steer the

Heat home on Thursday night.

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 of thinking “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 to spare.

“I thought the way (No.6) Jimmy Peirson (23 not out off 25 balls) 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.

Perth openers Josh Inglis and Liam Livingstone loom as dangermen after passing 100 runs inside the 10-over mark against the Renegades, but Cutting and his fellow seamers are up for the challenge.

“We’ve been bowling well all tournament and there’s still a long way to go – we’re only halfway there,” Cutting said.