Sydney Thunder captain Mike Hussey credits coach Paddy Upton with a key role in turning the "antiquated" easybeats into Big Bash League leaders.
Led by effervescent West Indies star Andre Russell and South African legend Jacques Kallis, the perennial underachievers are the only undefeated team after winning their opening three games.
To put their turnaround in context, the Thunder are close to matching their total five wins in the previous four seasons within the space of three weeks.
Hussey paid tribute to Upton for thinking outside the box in a bid to revitalise the sagging franchise.
"Sometimes in cricket we're a bit antiquated and we're a little bit stuck in `This is how we've always done it' and the history and tradition of the game," Hussey said on Wednesday.
"But in T20 cricket, you've got a chance to think outside the box, do things a little bit differently, express yourself in slightly different ways.
"That's something that's really been encouraged by Paddy."
Upton, of South African descent, is best known for his tenure as a mental conditioning coach with India's national team that claimed the world's No.1 Test ranking and World Cup in 2011.
Hussey said Upton, who took over from previous coach Chandika Hathurusingha midway through last year, had worked wonders with the Thunder.
"A perfect example was on the first day (of pre-season preparation)," Hussey said.
"Most times you go through how you want to play and go through all the team's goals and all that sort of stuff, but we actually made a movie instead.
"Last year we went free diving instead of talking cricket. Doing some things different - that's the way Paddy works."
While Upton has worked his magic off the field, it's Russell, Kallis, and Test No.3 Usman Khawaja, who have summoned their sorcery on it.
Newcomer Russell in particular has been an instant hit, leading the tournament with seven wickets and leaking less than six runs an over with his pace bowling.
Hussey said boasting three world class allrounders - Russell, Kallis and retired Test star Shane Watson, who has yet to hit peak form - gave him plenty of options to attack opposition teams.
"It's all good and well having allrounders in your team, but if you've got three world class allrounders, it makes a huge difference," he said.
"They can contribute so much with the bat and the ball, and they're pretty handy in the field as well. We're very lucky to have them."
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