To say Hobart need a bit of luck to make the Big Bash League Twenty20 semi-finals is an understatement.

And so far, the portents are not so good for the Hurricanes after flight delays ensured they arrived late ahead of Thursday night’s must win Gabba clash with Brisbane.

The fifth-placed Hurricanes must down the bottom-placed Heat then rely on up to four other results going their way to scrape into the BBL semi-finals.

They will look to reverse their fortunes against the Heat after flight delays ensured Hobart arrived in Brisbane late on Wednesday and had to cancel their pre-match press conference.

Hobart posted video on social media of two Hurricanes teammates playing “tennis” with what appeared to be a cricket glove during the long wait for their belated flight to Queensland.

“A few delayed flights today but the boys are making their own entertainment at the airport!” they tweeted.

At least Hobart will back themselves to keep up their end of the bargain with a win over Brisbane, even without captain George Bailey and spinner Xavier Doherty (national one-day duty).

When the teams met earlier this season, Hobart reeled in Brisbane’s daunting 6-208 with an over to spare.

And last season they defeated Brisbane in their regular season finale to make the top four before they made it all the way to the final.

Tim Paine will take over the Hobart captaincy while big hitting Travis Birt (hamstring) returns.

The Heat (1-6) are reeling from Tuesday night’s five-wicket loss to Melbourne Renegades after being bowled out for a club record 80 – the third lowest total in BBL history.

They have recalled paceman Mark Steketee and batsman Nathan Reardon to replace Cameron Gannon and Jason Floros in their 13-man squad.