Batsman Chris Lynn believes there's no reason the Brisbane Heat can't pull off another Big Bash League miracle and successfully defend their domestic Twenty20 title.
The Heat find themselves in similar circumstances to last summer when they strung together three wins from their final four group matches to sneak into the finals before taking out the championship.
Wednesday's win over the hapless Sydney Thunder at ANZ Stadium was the Heat's second from five matches and keeps them in with an outside chance of reaching the finals this summer.
Lynn, who has averaged 46 at a strike rate of 153.33 in this year's BBL, says the comparisons to last summer are obvious for all to see.
"Looks that way, doesn't it?," Lynn said.
"Second time around, there's probably a lot more pressure on.
"We're just trying to concentrate on those little things and, if we do that, play our fearless cricket, then we've got the firepower in the shed and in the bowling to do that."
Standing in Lynn and his teammates' way to back-to-back titles is the league-leading Melbourne Stars, fresh from a thumping win over the Adelaide Strikers on Thursday night for their fifth victory from as many starts.
The Stars travel to the Gabba on Saturday boasting a bowling line-up including Sri Lankan quick Lasith Malinga and Australian internationals Jackson Bird and John Hastings.
Skipper Cameron White's side will be without James Faulkner (3-9 against the Strikers), fellow paceman Clint McKay and allrounder Glenn Maxwell, who are part of Australia's squad for the one-day series against England starting on Sunday at the MCG.
The Stars have named opener Rob Quiney, fast bowler Scott Boland and allrounder Alex Keath in a 13-man squad.
White hailed his bowlers after the resounding eight-wicket win over the Strikers but Lynn said the Heat would back themselves despite their opposition's form.
Malinga was in impressive touch against the Strikers, taking 2-8 off four overs.
"If we're any chance of winning this comp, we've got to win this game," Lynn said.
"We beat the Stars last year. We're reigning premiers.
"We've got no reason to be scared. We'll just play fearless cricket and that's what works for us."
Nathan Hauritz has been ruled out of Saturday's clash after the offspinner suffered a calf injury during the warm-ups for Wednesday's game.
Fellow spinner Daniel Vettori faces a fitness test for a back complaint.
A Heat spokesman said a crowd of 30,000 is expected, breaking the record of 29,241 which was also for a game against the Stars.
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