Hastings aiming for higher honours

Melbourne Stars allrounder John Hastings believes Australia's limited-overs sides are in need of an experienced head, and he reckons he could be just the man for the job.

The 30-year-old, who returned to the Stars on Saturday night for their KFC Big Bash League blockbuster against the Renegades having missed their previous outing, played a major hand in the seven-wicket triumph after taking 4-29 including the prized wicket of Renegades import Chris Gayle.

Playing through the pain of a shoulder injury sustained while batting in the nets in November and aggravated at training last week – which led to his absence from the Stars' win over the Sixers - Hastings had Chris Gayle caught by Kevin Pietersen for 4, before following up with the important wickets of Matthew Wade, Dwayne Bravo and Tom Cooper.

"(My shoulder) got through it pretty well so I'm happy with that," Hastings said after the match.

WATCH: Hastings' spell against the Renegades

"It's just about managing it for the rest of the summer. I felt really good tonight, so there are no issues there at all.

"I've had an unbelievable bad run (of injuries), I got hit in the knee and fell over and dislocated my shoulder, and then in nets yesterday Maxi (Glenn Maxwell) hit me in the ankle and it swelled up, but it's just one of those things.

"Hopefully that’s all behind me now."

Hastings earned a surprise recall to the Australian one-day side in England last year, stepping in after injuries to Shane Watson and Nathan Coulter-Nile.

He made the most of the opportunity – his first in 50-over cricket in four years - spearheading Australia to a series victory in Manchester with figures of 3-21.

With a series of one-day internationals and Twenty20 matches to come against India later this month ahead of a tour of New Zealand and the World T20, Hastings is hopeful he can push his claims for national selection.

"I'd absolutely hope so, I played in the last ODI Australia played in," he said.

Quick Single: Stars too strong for Renegades

"I haven't had a phone call to say otherwise. With the amount of bowlers out at the moment (I'm hopeful), but there's also the amount of people putting pressure on for spots. 

"Hopefully I can put my hand up, I think it’s the right time for me. I know my game inside and out, I'm 30 years old, Australia needs a bit of an older head but whether I'm that person, I'll have to wait and see.

"I feel like if I can keep putting performances on the board and keep reminding the selectors I'm still here and still really want it."

Two people backing Hastings to succeed if selected are Stars coach Stephen Fleming and teammate Luke Wright.

"He's done brilliant to get back fit, he's playing with pain and that shows how strong he is and what a competitor he is," Wright said.

"To get Gayle out as well and to get 4-four is very special.

"Who knows (if we'll lose him to Australia) but I hope we do. You want guys to play for Australia but we'll have to see. You watch the Big Bash every night and a lot of guys are putting their hands up."

Fleming, who coached Hastings at Indian Premier League club Chennai in 2014, agreed.

"He didn’t get a big run in Chennai but he learned a lot. What you saw tonight, he got Gayle, they need a couple experienced hands in a side and Hasto is certainly that guy," Fleming said.

"He needs to make sure he stays fit but yeah, he's a chance."