Pfeffer steers Brisbane to 8-144 in BBL

Lachlan Pfeffer top-scored for the Heat, who could only manage 144 against the Hurricanes. (AAP)

A half century by unheralded call-up Lachlan Pfeffer has helped steer a depleted Brisbane Heat to 8-144 in their Big Bash League clash with Hobart Hurricanes at the Gabba.

Pfeffer thrashed 69 off 51 balls, including six fours and three sixes, to help the COVID-19 hit Heat overcome regular wickets and post a competitive target.

The 30-year-old was among a raft of replacements called up after 12 Heat players tested positive for COVID-19 during the week.

Pfeffer is a Queensland contracted player but played the last of his six Sheffield Shield games for the Bulls two years ago and has registered a solitary one-day game for his state, back in 2018.

But the wicketkeeper-batsman looked like an old pro at No.3 in just his third Twenty20 game, combining with Will Prestwidge (21 off seven balls) to at least give Brisbane a defendable total.

Another late call-up Jack Wood - an electrician who played one match for the Heat last season - was the only other batsman to reach double figures, hitting 12 off 13 balls.

Mitchell Owen took 2-25 but also had two chances go down including Pfeffer on 44 while spinner Sandeep Lamichhane (2-23) also impressed.

Matthew Wade is out of the Hurricanes line-up due to personal reasons. (AAP)

Brisbane are out to get their BBL campaign back on track after three losses in four games.

Meanwhile, fourth-placed Hobart are without skipper Matthew Wade who will sit out the BBL indefinitely for personal reasons.

Peter Handscomb has stepped up as captain with BBL leading run-scorer Ben McDermott taking over the gloves from Wade for a Hurricanes outfit that has lost their last two matches after a three-game winning streak.

Brisbane next take on Adelaide Strikers at the Gabba on Wednesday.

Hobart will face on Sydney Thunder at the MCG on Monday, starting three double-headers in Victoria to be held to make up games lost through COVID-19 outbreaks.

Only Wednesday's postponed clash between Brisbane and the Sydney Sixers is still to be made up in the revamped schedule.

The game was postponed after a dozen Heat players tested positive and they were unable to make up the required 13-strong squad.