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The Sydney Thunder are slowly righting the ship and healing scars after a horror start to Big Bash 12, cruising to a crushing 10-wicket victory with eight overs to spare against the lowly Brisbane Heat at Sydney Showground Stadium.
The Thunder bowlers were on song in a commanding effort as captain Chris Green utilised the turn and grip in the wicket to get a stranglehold on the game from the start before Matthew Gilkes and Alex Hales put the result beyond doubt.
Spinners Green (2-14) and Usman Qadir (1-19), on Thunder debut, formed the perfect partnership while seamers Nathan McAndrew (1-28) and Daniel Sams (2-27) chipped in to keep the target down to a mediocre 122.
Gilkes and Hales used their experience in home conditions to control the run chase, gliding past the 100 mark relatively untroubled.
The Heat began to fall apart as Gilkes and Hales played comfortable, risk-free cricket.
They upped the ante as victory neared, with Gilkes striking a maximum to bring up his half-century before Hales brought up his with a streaky top edge over the keeper in his 50th Big Bash appearance.
His blows to end the game were far more convincing as they boosted their net run rate, winning the match with more than eight overs remaining.
Earlier, the Heat openers made a calmer start, contrary to their customary crash and dash after winning the toss and batting on a tricky Sydney wicket.
However, Max Bryant could not handle the pressure of being patient, skying his first shot played in anger.
After a dismal Power Play of 1-20, the Heat continued to struggle, with Matt Renshaw spooning a drive to backward point for nine.
When McAndrew struck first ball to remove danger man Sam Billings for just one, the Heat were deep in the jungle without a machete.
McAndrew’s accuracy was pinpoint as he struck Jimmy Peirson in the grill, dropping him to the floor in worrying scenes.
He recovered quickly, but it is the second time the Queensland keeper has been felled by a blow to the head this tournament.
Peirson and Colin Munro toiled to a 51-run partnership, but Pakistani Qadir ripped the momentum away on the verge of the Power Surge.
The end of Munro for 43 in the Surge curtailed hopes of a competitive total, with Michael Neser falling for a golden duck next ball, as the visitors hobbled to 6-121.
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