Sydney ThunderDaniel Sam smashes 65 off 25 balls as Ricky Ponting savages 'absolutely pathetic' Brisbane Heat

The Brisbane Heat appeared to be heading towards victory but a horror meltdown has created a jaw dropping display of hitting.

Daniel Sams hit 65 off 25 balls.

The Sydney Thunder's Daniel Sams has increased his T20 credentials with a ballistic display of hitting that left the Brisbane Heat in his wake.

The Heat appeared in the box seat throughout the game, hitting 6/178 on the back of Chris Lynn's 44-ball 69 and Jack Wildermuth's 31 off 11 balls.

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The first over saw Alex Hales and Callum Ferguson out and the score 2/1.

It looked to be a mountain too tall to climb and potentially the second consecutive drubbing in the BBL but the Thunder started building partnerships.

Baxter Holt and Alex Ross put on 49 for the fourth wicket before Ben Cutting and Daniel Sams came to the crease.

Cutting is known as a dasher with the bat but he played second fiddle as Sams cut loose.

Daniel Sams went ballistic to seal a famous win for the Sydney Thunder.

An Australian T20 representative this summer against India, Sams unloaded, hitting 65 off 25 balls including seven sixes has he singlehandedly stole the match.

But needing 32 off the final three overs, Cutting was bowled and 24 was still needed from the final two.

It took just five balls as the first ball was a no ball that went for six, followed by two dot balls and three straight sixes as Sams romped to victory.

What an amazing innings from such a delightful humble man. What a way for @ThunderBBL to open their account. WHAT A GAME! @BBL #BBL10 https://t.co/LGRLObfOrU

— Malcolm Conn (@malcolmconn) December 14, 2020

While Sams was the hero, Ricky Ponting savaged the Heat for the late planning.

"This has been absolutely pathetic bowling," Ricky Ponting said. "Pathetic planning and pathetic bowling.

"He's 59 not out off 24 balls and would he have more than 10 runs on the offside? They've bowled exactly where they want them."

When the first two wickets fell in the first over, Ponting said it looked like the Thunder had less than 10 percent chance of pulling off the win.

But he had some nice comments for Sams as well.

"Absolutely incredible," Ponting said. "We probably haven't given him enough credit, 65 off 25, some brilliant brilliant on the back of some pathetic bowling and planning from the Brisbane Heat. But well done Daniel Sams, congratulations son, you've almost singlehandedly got your team across the line."

Shane Warne also took aim at the Heat after the Thunder came from nowhere to claim the side's first win of the season.

And that’s as bad a bowling as I’ve ever seen in T/20 cricket from the Brisbane heat & horrific plans too - any chance of a wide yorker???? #BBL

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 14, 2020

A lot of people complaining about the size of bats, boundary ropes in to far, flat wickets etc ! But how about the bowlers improve & execute plans better. Are fast bowlers bowling 30/40 Yorkers every day at practise or is sports science not allowing them to practise that skill ?

— Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 14, 2020

Horrific death bowling from #Heat. Sams feasted on it and #Thunder home in a canter. #BBL

— Rahul Puri (@rahulpuri) December 14, 2020

Once again the Heat bring the BBL to life... in none of the ways they'd want to #BBL10

— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) December 14, 2020

It was particularly sweet for Ben Cutting, who threw some fuel on the fire with comments about why he left the side.

Lynn had some words when Cutting came out to bat with the Thunder player saying it was "the first words he said to me in about eight months".

Lynn had some words for Ben Cutting.

"I'm still waiting for the phone call to be fair," he added.

"All the other boys out there are pretty friendly out there so it was good fun."

Heat captain Chris Lynn and import Dan Lawrence played despite being investigated for a COVID-19 bubble breach but Lynn brushed it off.

He hit five sixes in his innings, becoming the first player in BBL history to hit 150 sixes.

It was remarkable considering the next best six hitters are Aaron Finch on 84, Glenn Maxwell on 83 and D'Arcy Short on 75.