Andre Russell's black and pink bat and Jason Roy's sensational catch stole the show as Sydney Sixers skipper Moises Henriques guided his BBL side to a season- opening nine-wicket win over Sydney Thunder.
The Sixers restricted their crosstown rivals to a modest 8-159 on Tuesday night before chasing down theirtarget with ease to finish 1-160 at Spotless Stadium.
Henriques top-scored with 76 not out from 41 balls, including seven fours and four sixes, and was supported sturdily by opener Dan Hughes (54 from 49).
Russell's choice of bat was outrageous.
The prized Jamaican star, who was caught and bowled for nine before removing Roy for 27, wielded a Spartan number in Sixers colours with a black blade and pink handle. Sixers wicketkeeper Brad Haddin questioned whether the bat was legal.
"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," a CA spokesman said.
"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." It's not the first time a BBL batsman has used coloured willow, with Russell's Thunder teammate Aiden Blizzard swinging an electric green bat last season while former Melbourne Renegades power hitter Chris Gayle was approved to use a gold bat.
Andre Russell of the Thunder walks from the field after being dismissed during the Big Bash League match between the Sydney Thunder and the Sydney Sixers. Photo / Getty
The match may have taken a different turn had Clint McKay not dropped Henriques on his first ball.
"It's nice to get a bit of luck early," Henriques said.
"It could have been a completely different night but I was able to stay out there and make the most of it."
And while Sixers import Roy struck a middling 27 with the bat the Englishman had the sold-out 21,798-strong crowd in raptures in the field for his blinder of a catch to dismiss Thunder captain Ben Rohrer.
Rohrer timed a late cut from Joe Mennie nicely but the big-hitting import launched himself sideways at backward point, in a stunning horizontal manoeuvre that will be a contender for a catch of the season.
The Thunder got off to a flying start, racing to 1-71 after eight overs on Tuesday night in the absence of injured captain Shane Watson.
But a double-wicket maiden from paceman Joe Mennie, who'd conceded 16 runs in his first over, kick-started a quickfire fightback during which the hosts conceded quick wickets before quick Pat Cummins (30 from 20 deliveries) provided some late fireworks.
"We lost it in that middle period and had to rebuild," said youngster Ryan Gibson, who made a half-century (53 from 43 balls) on debut.
