CRICKET: If there was a most improved award in the Big Bash League, Warwick paceman Mark Steketee would have to be a leading contender.

Last season, Steketee was part of the Brisbane Heat bowling attack that struggled to take wickets.

The right-arm seamer took just three wickets from four games during the 2015/16 BBL campaign at an expensive economy rate of 11.21 runs per over.

Fast forward 12 months and Steketee is equal-second leading wicket taker in the BBL as the Heat secures a spot in the finals following Tuesday night's win over the Melbourne Stars in the top-of-the-table clash at the MCG.

The Heat restricted the Stars to 7-138 from their 20 overs after Steketee got the visitors off to the perfect start.

Steketee bowled a wide to start the innings but then bowled in-form opener Rob Quiney with the second ball of the innings.

He followed that up by trapping English star Kevin Pietersen in front the very next ball to not only be on a hat-trick, but have the Stars at 2-1 in the first over having dismissed two of their most dangerous batsmen for ducks.

Steketee finished with outstanding figures of 2-20 from four overs before Heat batsmen Alex Ross (46 not out) and Joe Burns (42 not out) chased down the total for a seven-wicket win to secure the first spot in the finals.

His two wickets lifted Steketee to equal second on the leading wicket takers list behind only Sydney Sixer Sean Abbott (15). Steketee's economy rate is 7.66 runs per over as he prepares to play the Renegades at the Gabba on Friday.

Steketee and Heat team mate Mitch Swepson each took two wickets against the Stars to move to 11 wickets each for the tournament, along with Ben Hilfenhaus, Sunil Narine and Scott Boland.

That is a marked improvement this season and mirrors the fortunes of the finals-bound Heat.