Sydney Thunder captain Michael Hussey pinches himself when thinking about his arsenal of world-class allrounders who shape as the key to the franchise's hopes of rising from the doldrums.
The Thunder began the Big Bash League season in impressive fashion with a 36-run win over the Sydney Sixers at Spotless Stadium on Thursday night.
Hussey (80 off 59) and Ben Rohrer (30 off 20) set the tone as the Thunder posted 4-158 from their 20 overs.
The Sixers' run chase fizzled out as they lost regular wickets and were bowled out for 122 from 19.5 overs.
Not only was it the perennial under-achievers' first win over their cross-town rivals, it has the potential to set the tone for their tournament.
After finishing no higher than second-last in the first four editions of the domestic Twenty20 tournament, including three wooden spoons, the Thunder looked every bit contenders with a commanding win over the star-studded Sixers.
The recruitment of Shane Watson and West Indian short-form specialist Andre Russell - who both returned 3-13 - have the potential to take the side from easy-beats to title threats.
The pair, combined with South African legend Jacques Kallis, form a formidable allrounder corps which give them a real x-factor, Hussey says.
Combined, the trio have 226 Tests, 569 ODIs and 109 international Twenty20s worth of experience.
"We're lucky to have three world-class allrounders at our disposal, it doesn't happen very often," Hussey said.
"It offers us so much balance to the team but it also offers me so many options out there, I can really chop and change the bowlers."
Hussey said he wasn't getting excited about the side's hopes just yet, pointing to their promising start with a big win over the Brisbane Heat in the corresponding game last year.
He said he was glad they could break their hoodoo with their first win over the Sixers and move ahead.
"I had a few scars and it was on my mind but I tried not to let that affect me," Hussey said.
"The other guys, most of them weren't a part of it so it was easy for them to just to look forward."
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