DIMI Mascarenhas took two wickets as Hobart Hurricanes clinched a Big Bash semi-final place.

Playing only his second game since recovering from a fractured jaw, the former Hampshire captain took 2-42 as Hobart finished their group campaign by winning what was effectively a quarter-final against Brisbane Heat.

Mascarenhas, the Hurricanes’ assistant coach, helped ensure that they successfully defended their 209-7 by ending Brisbane’s rapid 50-run opening partnership.

He took the crucial wicket of Craig Kieswetter, who was caught behind in Mascarenhas’s third over, and then bowled Joe Burns three balls later before Brisbane limped to 169-8.

Hobart's 40-run win means they will play the unbeaten Melbourne Stars in their semi-final, when Mascaranheas will hope to make up for the disappointment of two last-four defeats in his last season with Hampshire.