Innovative Twenty20 pioneer David Hussey wants more crowd-pulling foreign stars lighting up the Big Bash League.

Preparing to take on Brisbane Heat drawcards Andrew Flintoff and Daniel Vettori at the Gabba on Sunday night, Melbourne Stars veteran Hussey has called for Cricket Australia to raise the number of BBL imports.

Franchises are currently limited to a maximum of two internationals but the 37-year-old former Australian batsman believes loosening those restrictions would also be in the best interests of domestic cricket.

“Hopefully they add the international players to maybe three or four in the coming years,” he said in Brisbane. “I think they add a new dimension to the Australian (T20) cricket.

“The international people not only bring world-class cricket but different styles of cricket and different gameplans that you can adapt into your game as well.

“I think Australian cricket would only be stronger for it.”

The star power has only risen in BBL04 with South African great Jacques Kallis and controversial England batsman Kevin Pietersen debuting this summer.

Desperate to break their duck after two upset losses, Melbourne must do it with only one import, English allrounder Luke Wright, at the Gabba after Pietersen chose to fly home for Christmas.

It puts the onus more on Hussey, the most experienced Australian T20 player in the game with 246 game over 10 years, and third in the world behind Albie Morkel and Kieron Pollard.

Vettori warned Flintoff was readying to produce his best after suffering a three-ball duck in the Heat’s opening 56-run loss to Sydney Thunder.

“Everyone remembers him as a destructive player and he wants to repeat that,” the New Zealand spinner said.

“Seeing how hard he’s been working you get a sense that it’s going to come pretty soon.”

Brisbane have been boosted by the return of spearhead Ben Cutting (groin) to replace new Test batsman Joe Burns.

Rob Quiney has taken Pietersen’s place while paceman Clint McKay has also been added to their 13-man squad.

Hussey – who consulted his brother, Thunder captain Mike, about the Heat – overlooked Flintoff and Vettori as their major threats, instead singling veteran skipper James Hopes as the main danger.