Hard-hitting Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques has inspired his side to a dominant win over the cross-town Thunder and sent a powerful message to the rest of the Big Bash League.
Last season's wooden spooners comfortably dethroned the reigning premiers in front of a record 21,798 at Spotless Stadium, chasing down the Thunder's 8-159 with nine wickets and two overs to spare.
Henriques blasted 20 from one Pat Cummins over and finished with 76 from 41 balls and four monstrous sixes, ably supported by Sixers opener Dan Hughes who plundered 54 himself as the pair piled on an entertaining and unbeaten 144.
Yet the script might well have played out differently for the Thunder had Clint McKay not grassed a tough chance from Henriques' first ball at short fine leg.
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In any event, Sixers fans should expect more from their captain this season after revelations he was carrying a side strain and wouldn't be bowling all tournament.
The Thunder looked on track to post a huge score after being sent in by the Sixers before Eoin Morgan's controversial dismissal in the ninth over with his side cruising at 1-71.
The Irish-born England one-day international captain was given out caught behind off Johan BOtha's bowling and a batting collapse was triggered.
"Completely disagree with it to be honest," Morgan said.
"When the umpire gives you out, you're out and you've got to walk off."
Soon after captain Ben Rohrer fell to a spectacular Jason Roy catch at backward point, and the Thunder crumbled from 1-71 to 6-86 in the space of four overs.
Video: Jason Roy reels in ridiculous catch https://t.co/fWAIyv9BGK pic.twitter.com/hOOEuC6Xer
— jack (@sports_newsxd) December 20, 2016
Late hitting from Pat Cummins and a steady 53 from debutant Ryan Gibson restored the Thunder innings, but it wasn't enough.
Meanwhile, Cricket Australia has cleared Andre Russell to use a black and pink bat.
Is Andre Russell's bat legal? We've got the official word: https://t.co/1nOtifOAy3 #BBL06 pic.twitter.com/FnX3e4O9sL
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) December 20, 2016
A CA spokesman said: "A player can use a coloured bat subject to CA approval. The bat may be the same colour as the club's primary colour or black.
"CA retains the right to withdraw approval at its absolute discretion and the umpires can also request a player to change the bat if they believe it affects the integrity of the match."
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