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AAP
AAP
Sport
Murray Wenzel

Heat's Test guns back to face Scorchers

Fresh from his Test success, Usman Khawaja will make his Brisbane Heat debut in the BBL. (Dean Lewins/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Usman Khawaja will open in his Brisbane Heat debut after the Perth Scorchers sent the hosts in at the Gabba.

Khawaja and Test teammates Marnus Labuschagne and Matthew Renshaw have returned for the Heat's vital clash, but India-bound spinner Mitchell Swepson has been left out of the side.

Swepson played for Australia in the 20-over format as recently as last October but has been left out for left-arm quick Spencer Johnson.

He will make his BBL debut as they tinker with a bowling attack that's struggled to contain rivals this season.

The South Australian product has overcome a serious ankle injury, impressing in Brisbane's first grade Twenty20 competition for Redlands alongside Labuschagne to earn a Heat deal.

Ashton Agar will also return for the Scorchers after earning a Test recall in Sydney.

The two sides met in Perth only four days ago, the Scorchers (6-2) easily chasing the Heat's 171 target to now be a win away from claiming outright top spot.

The arrival of big-hitting Josh Brown has seen the Heat (2-5) find some form with the bat but, sitting seventh, they need a victory to remain in the finals picture.

Brisbane Heat: Usman Khawaja, Josh Brown, Marnus Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw, Jimmy Peirson, Max Bryant, Ross Whiteley, Michael Neser, Xavier Bartlett, Matthew Kuhnemann, Spencer Johnson.

Perth Scorchers: Stephen Eskinazi, Cameron Bancroft, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis (wk), Ashton Turner (c), Nick Hobson, Ashton Agar, Matthew Kelly, Andrew Tye, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Hatzoglou.

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