Swepson's spin helps Heat into playoffs
The Brisbane Heat became the first team to secure their position in the playoff stage of the Big Bash League, after sealing a seven-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars
Scorecard and ball-by-ball details
The Melbourne Stars chose to chase the last 13 times they had won the toss. So when David Hussey won the toss, he elected to bat. It didn't start well. Sure, Mark Steketee began with a wide, but then Rob Quiney chopped on and Kevin Pietersen was pinned in front. Both for golden ducks. Out ambled Seb Gotch, a debutant who would later keep wicket in short sleeves (to the dismay of the punditocracy and twitterati), to face a hat-trick ball, which he nudged to midwicket for one.
With Gotch and Wright settled and accumulating (the Powerplay was over, and they had taken 21 from the previous two overs), on came Mitchell Swepson, Australia's latest call-up and Shane Warne's new favourite human. Swepson bowled beautifully, and did not concede more than a single from any of his 24 balls.
There was plenty of nous on show as the Heat romped home. They lost two wickets in the Powerplay - Jimmy Peirson caught at mid-on and Nathan Reardon at deep square in consecutive overs - but never panicked or let the rate rise. Sam Heazlett played a gem of an innings, with a beautiful square six, before being caught at long-on, while Ross was typically busy. Burns struggled to get going, but was ticking by the end, nailing Ben Hilfenhaus for consecutive sixes in the 17th over.
So the Heat are through with a game to spare (against the Renegades at the Gabba on Friday, where a win will secure a home semi and they will definitely welcome back McCullum, and maybe Samuel Badree), but who will join them? TheStars are back at the MCG on Saturday, against the Sixers, who have also won four and lost three. The Stars can secure a home semi-final with a win, and they have a strong net run-rate. A heavy defeat, however, could still see them miss out on next week's semi-finals altogether. Fortunately for them, it's the final game of the regular season - coming straight after fellow contenders Scorchers travel to the Hurricanes - so they will know exactly what is required of them.
Will Macpherson writes on cricket for the Guardian, ESPNcricinfo and All Out Cricket. @willis_macp