Stand-in Sydney Thunder captain Chris Green has lauded the versatility of his playing squad, following Monday's thumping seven-wicket win over the Brisbane Heat at Manuka Oval.
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An unbroken 109-run, fourth-wicket stand between Alex Ross (61*) and Englishman Sam Billings (44*) brought home the win with 17 balls to spare, but it was the joint effort with the ball that left Green purring after the season opener.
The club's leading wicket taker Daniel Sams claimed three victims after Green won the toss and bowled, including the prized scalp of Brisbane big hitter Chris Lynn.
Returning paceman Gurinder Sandhu grabbed 2-17 while former ACT Comet Nathan McAndrew (2-33) also chipped in on his former home ground.
"The way our fast bowlers in particular bowled up front in those first four overs and throughout was outstanding," Green said.
"Gurinder, Daniel Sams, Nathan McAndrew did really really well, broke the back of their dangerous hitters if you like, in Lynn and [Max] Bryant early, and then I thought we were able to restrict the two lefties through the middle for a long period of time as well.
"That's the beauty of having all rounders in our team. Every bowler's different.
"I wanted to try and utilise that to the best of our ability and on a night like tonight it worked really well. To walk away with the win with Ben Cutting only bowling one over and Tanveer Sangha only bowling three overs, [they're] probably feeling under used a little bit as well.
"I'm very happy with the way all the boys bowled."
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Brisbane scrambled to 8-140 on Monday, and the Thunder's run chase started poorly when last season's leading Big Bash run scorer Alex Hales was dismissed for a second-ball duck.
At 3-32 the home side looked to be floundering, but Ross and Billings steadied proceedings before accelerating towards the finish line.
Ross blasted two maximums on his way to a half century, including a powerful swat over backward point off the bowling of replacement player Liam Guthrie.
"[They're ] two guys who have played a lot of cricket, know their games really well, they're going to be the glue of our middle order for the season," Green said.
"It was a tough wicket to get started on so the way they just absorbed the pressure, built the run chase really nicely. They were clear when we went and spoke to them at halfway.
"Fantastic tempo from both of them and the way Rossy kicked on there at the end was outstanding to watch.
"You've always got to look for the positives, and areas where we can get better. With the first couple of games, as a unit, even though we've played a lot of cricket together, you're always finding your feet again.
"[There are] areas in the field where we can get better, a couple of missed chances tonight but I think all in all, it wasn't a complete polished performance but a great way to start our season and kick off our campaign."
The Thunder will remain in Canberra for the next few days, before heading to Melbourne where they take on the Stars at the MCG on Friday.
Monday's win catapulted the Thunder straight to the top of the Big Bash table, alongside the cross-town Sydney Sixers who demolished the hapless Stars with a record-breaking win on Sunday.
Melbourne is hopeful of recalling several players after seven front liners, including Marcus Stoinis, missed the Sixers clash.
James Buckley
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
James is a Queanbeyan boy enjoying his second stint at the Canberra Times, more than eight years on from his first. In between he's traveled the world, and spent time covering sport in Sydney.
