Sydney Thunder remains optimistic rather than confident skipper Mike Hussey will return from injury in time for their crucial Big Bash League fixture against Brisbane Heat on Monday.
Hussey was sidelined with a hamstring injury for the Thunder's 30-run loss to Perth Scorchers at Spotless Stadium on Thursday night.
The Scorchers win, led by 72 runs off 53 balls from Cameron Bancroft and some clean hitting from Ashton Agar (68 off 34), handed them a 4-2 record and moved them to the top of the BBL ladder ahead of Adelaide Strikers on net run rate.
It was Thunder's third successive loss after they emerged as early season pacesetters on the back of three straight wins.
An Andre Russell cameo of 42 off 20 balls wasn't enough to save the Thunder, and they need to win games against Heat and then arch-rivals Sydney Sixers at the SCG on Saturday week to guarantee making their first ever finals appearance in the fifth season of the competition.
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Stand-in skipper Shane Watson knows the Thunder need Hussey to help get them to the finals.
"He is in, he will play," Watson said when quizzed about Hussey's availability for the Heat clash.
When asked if that was hopeful or definite, Watson replied: "both".
The Scorchers are at the other end of the equation, with a 4-2 record. The defending champions face Hobart Hurricanes in Tasmania on Sunday and then host Melbourne Stars on Saturday week.
Agar has emerged as key player for the Scorchers, with his batting proving especially valuable in their search for a third successive title.
"I have been really focusing on my batting and working really hard with (coach) Justin Langer," he told AAP.
"That is my first score in the tournament. I have been hitting the ball pretty well in the nets and hopefully I can go on with it from here.
"We have two tough games ahead and we want to win both of those."
