Daniel Sams has produced fireworks in the latter stages of both innings and Pakistan quick Zaman Khan also shone to propel the Sydney Thunder to a five-wicket BBL victory over the Melbourne Stars.
The Thunder prevailed despite a blistering allround performance from the Stars' Beau Webster, who put up the outstanding batting and bowling performances of the match with 59 off 44 balls and 4-29, his best Big Bash League figures.
He was the first player in BBL history to score a half-century and take four wickets in the same game.
In a battle between two winless teams, the Stars were dismissed for 172 at the Lavington Sports Ground near Albury in country NSW.
They lost a wicket to each of the last four balls of the final over bowled by Daniel Sams (4-33 off four overs).
The left-arm quick took a return catch to dismiss Webster, had Usama Mir caught and completed a team hat-trick by assisting in a run out of Mark Steketee before bowling Liam Dawson (two).
With the Thunder needing 23 off as many balls to clinch victory, Sams (22no off 13) erased all doubts with a quickfire cameo and Nathan McAndrew, unbeaten on 13, settled the game with a six over long on with 10 deliveries remaining.
The win moved the Thunder up to fifth, while the Stars remained last, having won just one of 11 BBL matches in 2023.
Slingy quick Zaman (3-24 off four overs) bowled Glenn Maxwell and Hilton Cartwright with beautifully executed yorkers and was named player of the match.
âHe prides himself on his death bowling, taking big wickets, bowling to big players as well,â Thunder captain Chris Green told Fox Cricket.
âHe has that knack of just winning the game from nowhere, so I was really proud of his performance today, along with a number of members of our team.
âItâs still early in the tournament and (there were) a few things with the ball we could have done a bit better, and similar with the bat after our really good start.
âBut a winâs a win and weâll take that little early Christmas present.â
Webster was the only Star to build on a promising start after his side opted to bat first.
Captain Maxwell (30 off 26), Tom Rogers (21 off 16) and Hilton Cartwright (22 off 11) all looked dangerous early.
The Thunder looked to be cruising to victory after a punishing opening stand of 78 off 7.2 overs between Alex Hales (40 off 26) and Cameron Bancroft (30 off 20).
Englishman Hales smashed three sixes in an over off Stars debutant Steketee.
Webster dismissed both openers in the space of three balls then had the dangerous Ollie Davies (23 off 18) caught at mid off after he had cracked two fours and a six earlier in the over.
Alex Ross (17) fell to spinner Liam Dawson, who then took a great catch to dismiss Jason Sangha (19) to give Webster his fourth scalp.
