Quiney backs Stars' openers

Melbourne Stars veteran Rob Quiney believes the settled opening duo of Luke Wright and Marcus Stoinis hold the key to their KFC Big Bash League campaign.

Wright is still riding high after his unbeaten century in Stars' local derby win over Melbourne Renegades in front of 80,883 fans at the MCG, but Stoinis has endured a lean run at the top of the batting order since making a half-century in the opening game of BBL05.

"(Wright's) smacking the ball at the moment, which is fantastic, and that's what Stoin is just waiting to do," Quiney told RSN radio on Wednesday.

"He's like a time bomb waiting to go off at the moment and to do that now ... there's no better time.

"I reckon the (batting) order is pretty stable at the moment and everyone just has to play their role."

Watch: Wright brings up his century in style

While Stoinis's BBL|05 campaign has reaped 107 runs at 17.83 so far, Wright followed his unbeaten ton at the MCG with knocks of 51 not out and 31.

Watch: Wright's fifty against the Hurricanes

Stars have the opportunity to secure their fifth BBL semi-final appearance in a row when they host last-placed Brisbane Heat at the MCG on Thursday night.

The green team have won their past four games in a row after an 0-2 start to sit third on the ladder, despite losing key trio Glenn Maxwell, James Faulkner and Scott Boland to the Australian limited-overs squad.

They will also be without in-form allrounder John Hastings against the Heat, after he was called up for Australia's ODI against India at the Gabba on Friday.

Quiney came into the side along with seamer Ben Hilfenhaus and allrounder Evan Gulbis for Saturday's rematch against Renegades, which Stars won comfortably.

Watch: Saturday night's all Wright for batting

Stars are yet to progress past the semi-final stage in four BBL campaigns and Quiney agreed it was important for his side to secure a considerable home ground advantage in front of a big crowd at the MCG.

To achieve that, the Stars must first beat the Heat, then topple the Perth Scorchers on their home turf at the WACA Ground on Saturday night.

"That's the ultimate goal - a home semi-final - but in terms of on the field the coach's message is pretty clear to keep it simple and just keep the ball rolling and enjoy ourselves," he said.

"It's a six-week tournament where I think the main thing to focus on is enjoying yourself and showing off your wares."

The Stars have called Jackson Coleman into their 13-man squad for the match against the Heat in place of Hastings.

Meanwhile the Heat have named an unchanged XI as they look to play further havoc with the BBL finals candidates, after knocking off the Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Sunday.

Melbourne Stars: David Hussey (c), Michael Beer, Jackson Coleman, Seb Gotch, Evan Gulbis, Peter Handscomb, Ben Hilfenhaus, Kevin Pietersen, Rob Quiney, Marcus Stoinis, Daniel Worrall, Luke Wright, Adam Zampa

Brisbane Heat: