But his teammates left the door open losing 4/15 in the last 17 balls having previously been on track for a 200+ score, only managing 8/169.
The Thunder never seemed to get going after Usman Khawaja was dismissed for seven off seven balls early, in a controversial decision.
In fact, it was the third controversial decision of the afternoon with the commentators calling for the Decision Review System to be brought into the BBL.
It started when the Stars' Andre Fletcher was dismissed by 19-year-old debutant Tanveer Sangha.
Drawing Fletcher forward, the ball rapt him on the pads and the umps finger went straight up. But Fletcher was far from happy, looking for a review despite none being in the BBL.
It turns out he was right to question the call as it was sliding down leg side.
Glenn Maxwell was the next one with Chris Green getting the Stars skipper bowling around the wicket and seemingly pitching down leg side.
You could argue that Maxy wasn't in the greatest position.
Then Khawaja went to ramp Dilbar Hussain, going right across but the ball missed the bat, flicking the pad with the lack of a DRS meaning he needed to walk.
Khawaja was far from happy with Mark Waugh saying "I don't think that hit anything" after watching the reverse angle replay.
Adam Gilchrist added: "Looked like there was a lot of daylight between bat and ball there, yards of it."
Mark Howard asked if there should be a DRS review in the BBL, with both legends agreeing there should be.
"I think there should be, I think we've seen three bad decisions today," Waugh said. "I think we should take less time looking at boundary decisions, I think that (wickets) is more important, make sure we get that right."
Gilchrist added: "We don't want to see the biggest names in this tournament, having to leave due to errors that could very quickly be overturned. The technology is around now. Get rid of the time out as far as I'm concerned, that's a waste, we don't need it, get the DRS in and utilise it to make sure we get the decisions correct."
He said the DRS was bought in "for the howler".
The pair didn't lay the criticism on the umpires with the benefit of the replay showing why the call was wrong.
All those gimmicks but no DRS in @BBL?! Both Andre Fletcher and Glenn Maxwell were given out lbw wrongly. #BBL10
Absolute howler. Another case made for needing DRS in the @BBL . Daylight between @Uz_Khawaja and that ball.. 🤷ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸ðŸ¤·ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸ðŸ¤·ðŸ»â€â™€ï¸ @ThunderBBL
Despite 46 off 41 balls from Alex Hales and 54 off 34 balls for Callum Ferguson, the Thunder didn't have enough firepower at the death, slumping to 9/147 with both former development player Liam Hartcher and Adam Zampa taking two wickets in two balls each.
Zampa was incredible, taking 2/10 off his four overs.
Updates
Thunder ruined by former player
Liam Hatcher was a former development rookie for the Sydney Thunder in BBL06 but after being handed his debut for the Melbourne Stars, has dominated.
Hatcher got the wickets of Ben Cutting and Daniel Sams after an over that had two more catching opportunities.
While he didn't get the hattrick, his 3/28 off four overs was just what the Stars needed.
After a blistering start, the brakes were put on late by the Thunder as the Stars hit 8/169 from the 20 overs.
But the Thunder had found it hard to get going despite 46 from 41 for Alex Hales and a 35-ball 54 from Callum Ferguson.
With 2 overs left, the Thunder need 36 from 12.
Collapse sparks epic Thunder fightback
The Sydney Thunder were staring down a 200+ chase at Manuka Oval but a stunning fightback sees the side needing 170 to win.
Marcus Stoinis smashed 61 off 37 balls with Glenn Maxwell adding 39 off 29 but when Maxy was removed on 4/133 after 14.4 over, the Stars couldn't keep going with a brilliant response.
The Stars lost 4/15 in the last 17 balls, leaving the door open for the Thunder to open the season with a win.
Stoinis goes for 61
Marcus Stoinis is back baby!
After a second ball duck, big Stoin slammed 61 off 37 balls in a return to form.
He even got off the mark with a six, signalling his intent as he bounced back with a bang.
But with a century beckoning, he played big one too many times, hitting a catch to Daniel Sams after splicing an off drive out to the cover boundary.
Debutant's dream an 'absolute stinker'
19-year-old Tanveer Sangha better get prepared to be compared to Shane Warne after he took a wicket in the first over of his BBL career.
And it was a a big one too with West Indian import Andre Fletcher.
Drawing Fletcher forward, the ball rapt him on the pads and the umps finger went straight up.
But Fletcher was far from happy, looking for a review despite none being in the BBL.
It was joyful for the young leggy but Mark Waugh said it looked like it was going to miss leg stump.
Khawaja said "I don't think you can ask for much better than that" with two dot balls before the wicket.
If there was a review, it wouldn't have been out.
How is that out lbw?? Is this the same umpire who reversed his decision on field last year? Absolute stinker! #BBL
Sydney Thunder captain Callum Ferguson said he was "staggered" that Usman Khawaja's name wasn't up for a Test recall after the carnage of the proposed Australia Test top order.
Cameron Green copped a concussion to be in doubt for the first Test, while a groin strain for David Warner and concussion for Will Pucovski has ruled them out of the first Test.
Pressure is also still on Joe Burns with the incumbent opener unable to buy a run this season.
For Khawaja, the opening game of the BBL season has come at the perfect time, with the star most enjoying playing against the Melbourne franchise.
306 – Usman Khawaja (@ThunderBBL) has scored 306 runs in his @BBL career against this evening's opposition the Melbourne Stars – his most against any side, including his personal best score in the competition (109*) when he faced them in December 2015. Flashback.#BBL10pic.twitter.com/vtWhQSFvjP
But speaking on ABC radio, Ferguson backed his Thunder opener.
"I'm firmly of the belief that Usman Khawaja is a guy that shouldn't be out of calculations in this Test coming up," he said.
"He's got one of the best records, if not the best record, in recent history of opening batters who have played more than 5 or 6 inning in the opening position.
"He's only had a few cracks at it but he's certainly someone who handles the new ball very well. Plays beautifully in Australian conditions.
"He is someone that has the class and the know-how and the nous to manage coming in at late notice and I believe he is someone that I'm staggered hasn't been raised at some point over the last week or two."
With an injury cloud hanging over Will Pucovski, @calferguson12 and @andrewcapel believe Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja should open for Australia at Adelaide Oval.
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