Daniel Sams knocked the Brisbane Heat to all parts in Canberra and Ricky Ponting played a part

A late call up to the Indian Premier League gave Daniel Sams the chance to work with hero Ricky Ponting, and on Monday he played like him.

Daniel Sams went berserk to guide the Sydney Thunder to a big win over the Brisbane Heat. Picture: Brendon Thorne/Getty Images

He‘s always had the ability, but now Daniel Sams has the confidence to match – and it’s largely thanks to Ricky Ponting.

Sams hit an epic half-century to lead the Sydney Thunder to a shock win over Brisbane Heat at Manuka Oval on Monday.

His unbeaten 65 off just 25 balls – his highest ever Twenty20 score – was breathtaking as he closed out the game with three consecutive sixes.

It was easily one of the most thrilling BBL matches.

So what was on Sams’ mind during those frantic final overs?

“Be still,” he said.

“You don‘t want to let it go to the last over – anything can happen.”

Sams hasn‘t always made batting look so composed, but after working with Ponting in the IPL for Delhi, he’s already making strides.

“I know, without it sounding bad, that I’m good enough at this level with my batting. I think I just wasn’t switched on mentally and I let the occasion get the better of me,” Sams said.

“It was unbelievable (working with Ponting). Obviously, I grew up watching Ricky playing pull shots and hitting the ball everywhere. It was awesome being able to get some work with him. He really instilled some confidence in me, and we just worked on a couple of technical things that have obviously worked for me.

“Confidence is a really funny thing. One of the things I’ve been trying to work on is just try to keep my confidence nice and level – not let my confidence from my performances shoot up or down, just keep it nice and level. That way I’m able to come into every game feeling the same about it.”

Incredible! Daniel Sams hits four sixes off the penultimate over to seal a remarkable comeback win for the Thunder! #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/06tfOInTeB

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2020

While Sams might be able to keep his confidence in check, the Thunder will take heaps of it into their next game against Perth.

The nature of their win against Brisbane was so dramatic, though, that Sams says they will undoubtedly think back on it as the tournament progresses.

And it could just give them the edge.

“It‘s one of those wins you really look back on midway through the tournament and you really lean on that for confidence,” he said.

Thanks for your incredible support tonight, Thunder Nation!

At Manuka Oval and from home 💚#ThunderNation #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/tnFS9uA58e

— Sydney Thunder (@ThunderBBL) December 14, 2020

Originally published as Daniel Sams knocked the Brisbane Heat to all parts in Canberra and Ricky Ponting played a part