Billings blitz keeps Melbourne Stars winless

Melbourne Stars' winless start to the 2024-25 BBL continued as Sam Billings scored 72 off 39 balls, condemning them to a fifth successive loss.

Searching for their first win, Stars opted to bowl first but were immediately punished by David Warner and Cameron Bancroft. Both batters hit boundaries, with Warner even using the reverse sweep. Thunder raced to 30 in the first three overs.

However, Beau Webster dismissed Warner. Usama Mir then took wickets of Bancroft and Oliver Davies in successive deliveries, reducing Thunder to 45/3 from 41/0.

Jason Sangha and Billings rebuilt the innings. Their half-century stand appeared to set the platform for a big finish before Peter Siddle dismissed Sangha. Billings then dominated, hitting Mir for a hat-trick of boundaries and bringing up his fifty.

Despite wickets falling at the other end, Billings continued to find the boundary, clearing the ropes before Siddle ended his innings.

Defending 182, Thunder made an excellent start with Lockie Ferguson striking in the first over. Ben Duckett, after a slow start, picked up pace and was involved in a half-century stand with Marcus Stoinis.

Stoinis' dismissal proved a big blow for the Stars, followed quickly by Glenn Maxwell's. Despite Duckett reaching fifty again, Thunder dominated the latter half.

Duckett's departure proved crucial, with Wes Agar taking three wickets in an over, derailing the chase and securing another defeat for the Stars.

Brief scores: Sydney Thunder 182/8 in 20 overs (Sam Billings 72, Jason Sangha 33; Beau Webster 3/42) beat Melbourne Stars 164/8 in 20 overs (Ben Duckett 67; Wes Agar 3/25) by 18 runs.