Perth Scorchers spinner Brad Hogg admits the upcoming BBL finals series could make or break his wish to extend his Twenty20 career.
Hogg looms as a key figure in Friday night's semi-final against the Melbourne Stars at the MCG.
The 44-year-old has established himself as one of Australia's best T20 bowlers during the past four BBL seasons.
But Hogg is the first to admit his output this summer hasn't been up to his usual standards.
In eight BBL appearances this season, Hogg has snared just five wickets at an average of 43.8.
Hogg is desperate to play on for the Scorchers next season, and probably a few more years after that.
But he knows he needs to show his worth during the upcoming finals if he is to make that happen.
"It hasn't been the best tournament for me. I'm going into the final under a little bit of pressure on a personal note," Hogg said.
"I've always said I want to keep playing. I'm not going to retire until JL (coach Justin Langer) forces me out, so I've got one or two more games to prove myself for next year.
"Hopefully I can pull my weight in this final and be the one to turn things around for us."
The Scorchers will be boosted by the return of star pace duo Joel Paris and Jason Behrendorff, while opener Marcus Harris is in line for a recall to increase the side's batting power.
A crowd in excess of 50,000 is expected to cheer the Stars on, and the pressure will be on the home side to reach the final.
The Stars have been eliminated in the semi-finals in each of the previous four seasons, with the Scorchers responsible for three of those exits.
But question marks surround the mettle of Perth's batting line-up after they were skittled for 94 by the Stars at the WACA Ground last week.
"It was a debacle the other night," Hogg said.
"We didn't play anywhere near to our best. So that's a good thing - it's a bit of a wake up call for us."
The Stars will rely heavily on star import Kevin Pietersen, who has averaged 31 in seven BBL appearances this summer.
Hogg said his fondest MCG memory was playing in the Boxing Day Test of 2007, when he snared four wickets in a 337-run win over India.
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