Sydney Sixers have got their Big Bash campaign underway with a four-wicket win over city rivals Sydney Thunder at the SCG.
Thunder made their highest ever team score in Big Bash history, but their total of 166-6 was not enough as the Sixers chased it down with 10 balls to spare.
After losing the toss and being made to bat, the Thunder got off to an explosive start, with Usman Khawaja and David Warner sharing an opening partnership of 96.
The Sixers bowlers did not do themselves any favours in the early overs, as a host of extras, including three wides that went all the way for four, helped the Thunder reach 116 for no loss before Warner departed for 50 off 31 balls.
Khawaja went onto make 66 from 51 deliveries, but none of the Thunder's other batsmen managed to reach double figures as the innings stagnated.
Moises Henriques was the pick of the Sixers' bowlers with figures of 2-24.
Michael Lumb (4) and Mark Cosgrove (6) went cheaply, but Nic Maddinson got the Sixers' reply off to a positive start with a 40-ball knock of 61, which included six fours and four maximums.
Captain Steve Smith added 22 with a strike-rate of 91.66, before Ravi Bopara (27) and Henriques (28) got the Sixers over the line to record a comfortable win.
