Sydney Thunder enjoyed the ideal start to the KFC Big Bash League with their first ever victory over the Sixers, despite Michael Lumb top scoring with 34 for the visitors.
The Sydney Derby kicked off BBL05 and it was the unfancied Thunder who caused an upset against last year’s beaten finalists.
Mike Hussey starred with the bat to make 80* before three wickets apiece from Andre Russell and Shane Watson secured the hosts a famous 36-run victory.
Captain Hussey won the toss at the beginning of the contest and chose to bat first, Jacques Kallis and Aiden Blizzard opening up for the hosts.
Some early boundaries saw the pair put on 18 in the first couple of overs before Doug Bollinger had Blizzard trapped in front for 12.
Kallis had made 15 before he was Sean Abbott’s first victim, the fast bowler ably backed up by Nathan Lyon as the pair tied down the Thunder in the middle overs.
However, the experienced Hussey was unmoved and alongside Watson (16) and Ben Rohrer (30) lifted his side up to a competitive total.
The Thunder finished their first innings of the tournament with a total of 158-4, Hussey leading the way with an unbeaten 59-ball 80, including five fours and four sixes.
Brad Haddin and Lumb motored along in the early overs after the former had survived a huge LBW shout from the first delivery, before the wickets started to tumble.
Haddin (13) and Nic Maddinson (7) were both bowled in quick succession by the impressive Russell as Lumb battled on at the other end.
Jordan Silk came and went for eight, Watson’s first wicket, before a run of five wickets for just 12 runs derailed the chances of a Sixers victory.
Lumb’s wicket sparked the collapse as his 27-ball 34 came to an end when he was trapped in front by Kallis although replays showed the ball pitched outside leg stump.
From there, Ryan Carters, Abbott, Trent Lawford and Nathan Lyon all fell in quick succession as Watson and Russell, both with figures of 3-13 reduced the Sixers to 85-8.
Some spirited late order hitting from Jackson Bird (14*) and Doug Bollinger (9) couldn’t halt Thunder’s charge as the hosts won their first Sydney Derby at the eighth attempt.
Both sides return to action on Sunday, with the Sixers providing the first opponents for the Hobart Hurricanes whilst the Thunder face off against the Melbourne Stars.
England are returning to the scene of their Ashes triumph in 2016 for Royal London One-Day Internationals against Sri Lanka and Pakistan.
Don't miss the opportunity to watch some of the best players in the world go toe-to-toe in the unique surroundings of Trent Bridge and secure your seats now.