Former Australian Test stars Michael Hussey and Shane Watson have proven that age is no barrier, leading the Sydney Thunder to a 36-run win over the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League season opener on Thursday night.
After posting 4-158, the Thunder inflicted their first ever defeat on their cross-town rivals, as the Sixers barely fired a shot in their run chase, dismissed for 122 at Spotless Stadium.
Hussey blasted 80 off 58 as he and Ben Rohrer (30 off 20) lifted the home side with some lusty late hitting.
Nearly three years since retiring from the Test arena, 40-year-old Hussey proved the difference-maker with a captain's knock that included five fours and four sixes.
The Sixers were never in the hunt as they lost a steady procession of wickets, with Watson finishing with 3-13 off two overs.
Watson was guilty of throwing his wicket away, clean bowled for 16 attempting to sweep Nathan Lyon, however made amends with a great spell of bowling, picking up the wickets of dangerman Jordan Silk, allrounder Sean Abbott and Trent Lawford.
West Indian import Andre Russell was also outstanding, clean bowling ex-Test wicketkeeper Brad Haddin for 13 and finishing his four overs with 3-13.
Besides Haddin, opener Michael Lumb (34 off 27), Johan Botha (13) and Jackson Bird (14) were the only other Sixers batsmen to reach double figures.
Lumb had a forgettable night, dropping an absolute sitter of a catch after Watson skied a rising ball.
The win was an important confidence boost for perennial underachievers the Thunder who had never beaten the Sixers in the first four editions of the domestic Twenty20 tournament.
They now shape as a real hope after recruiting strongly, with Watson and Russell looking like astute purchases after their first outing.
Hussey described the result as a great start but said the side wasn't getting ahead of themselves and thinking about finals contention.
"We were ready to break it," Hussey said of their losing streak to the Sixers.
"We tried not to focus on it much, it was hanging over our head a little bit.
"It's in the past now. They're missing probably four or five players from their No.1 team. So we saw it as a great opportunity to have a win tonight."
Lyon described the Thunder's 2015-16 line up as the strong the franchise has ever put together and real contenders for the title.
The Australian Test spinner said his side was guilty of giving away 20-25 runs through poor fielding and still have a lot of work ahead of them.
"We lost it in the field," Lyon said.
"Our fielding wasn't up to standard and it was disappointing but lucky enough we get to rock up to training on Thursday and improve and look ahead to the game in Hobart."
