BRISBANE Heat's ailing Big Bash League title hopes could be boosted by the return of Redlands Tigers star Marnus Labuschagne on Thursday.
The South African-born batsman is fresh off a debut one-day series in the subcontinent where he scored 46 and 54 against India as Australia went down 2-1.
Labuschagne returns home after being selected in the ICC's Test Team of the Year and earning recognition from ESPN Cricinfo for his knock of 143 against New Zealand at Perth earlier this summer.
The innings was named alongside Ben Stokes' match-winning 135 in the Ashes and two Steve Smith centuries as one of the seven best test match knocks of 2019.
Labuschagne has played just seven Big Bash matches across his four year List A career, with his last game coming against the Sydney Thunder in January 2019.
If selected, he will give the Heat a big boost just days after they conspired to lose 10 for 36 and the match against the Melbourne Renegades at the Gabba.
Labuschagne's Redlands teammate Sam Heazlett was a shining light for the home side in the 44-run loss, scoring 56 as the rest of the team capitulated to be all out for 120.
The two youngsters and local wicket-keeper batsman James Peirson will reunite for the first time this season if all are selected to play against the Sydney Sixers on Thursday night at the Gabba.
Former Australian captain Steve Smith is also likely to make his return to the Big Bash during the clash.
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