The Sydney Thunder are out to prove they're no longer the Big Bash League whipping boys as they eye a monster Christmas Eve showdown with the cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers.
Jason Sangha and Daniel Sams signalled there was light at the end of the tunnel as they starred in the Thunders' 15-run rain-affected win over the Melbourne Stars in Canberra on Friday night.
Sangha belted an unbeaten 65 off 36 balls as he and Sams (34) put together 77 runs for the fifth wicket to guide the Thunder to 5-181.
Left-armer Sams then tore through the Stars' top order to take 3-5 in a performance that well and truly put him on the map of the Australian cricketing public.
Last year, Sams was cut from New Zealand provincial side Canterbury because of the arrival of England allrounder Ben Stokes, but turned that disappointment into opportunity when he received a start from the Sydney Sixers.
He took 4-14 in his BBL debut and showed signs of real improvement in his first outing in lime green at Manuka Oval on Friday.
Sangha and Sams' partnership proved game-winning in the wash-up as they outshone the franchise's marquee recruits Jos Buttler and Joe Root.
Sams was dropped three times in three overs - twice by Nick Larkin and once by Nepalese spinner Sandeep Lamichhane.
"(He and Nick Larkin) had a little conversation out there then," Sams said.
"We played a few games out here for the second XI and he's whacked me around a bit so it was nice for him to do me a favour."
If the Thunder are to turn around their fortunes this year, the club's local products such as Sangha and Sams shape as crucial.
Since the competition's inception, the Thunder have under-achieved, finishing in the bottom three in six of their seven seasons including receiving four wooden spoons.
The only time they have made the finals, they went on to win the championship.
The Thunder have been traditional slow starters - only on two occasions have they won two or more of their first three - including in 2015-16 when they won the title.
They will now meet the Sixers at home at Spotless Stadium on Monday in a match that could see them fly out of the blocks.
"It's crucial being able to get a good start," Sams said.
"Getting a win first game, you're able to build momentum and once you get that ball rolling, it's that snowball effect."
