Sam Billings smashes 72 runs from 39 balls as Sydney Thunder beat Melbourne Stars

Melbourne Stars remain winless after five matches of BBL14 after a loss to Sydney Thunder — and they only have themselves to blame after a costly blunder. WATCH THE FULL HIGHLIGHTS

Melbourne Stars remain winless after their first five matches of BBL14 with a loss to Sydney Thunder on Saturday night all but putting a line through their finals hopes.

It was a must-win victory for the bottom-placed Stars while Sydney Thunder jump into the top four with the 18-run victory.

The Thunder lost the toss and batted first on a good track at Manuka Oval, posting 182 thanks to some Sam Billings brilliance which earned him player of the match honours.

The English import should’ve been run out for 16 but a non-appeal meant he was able to go on and dominate scoring 72 before he chopped on facing Peter Siddle.

Ben Duckett worked hard for the Stars in reply scoring 67 in the run-chase, but wickets continued to fall around him as the Thunder bowlers executed their plans and they fell short, once again.

Thunder captain David Warner was delighted with the back-to-back victories for his side.

“It’s a great victory, I was pleased for our guys, Wes coming in for his first game and the way he executed … Sam Billings controlling the ship as well,” he said.

“It’s the way the fielders back up the bowlers as well, we tried to squeeze a lot and try and create chances.”

Dynamic Duckett

Ben Duckett did everything in his power to get his side it’s maiden win of the season with scoring another half century, but it wasn’t enough.

The excitement machine scored 67 off 49 balls, belting nine fours along the way and giving the Stars a good shot at victory.

Ben Duckett of the Stars bats during the BBL match between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval, on December 28, 2024, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)

After starting his BBL campaign with a duck, the 30-year-old wicketkeeper has found a rich vein of form.

In his last two outings, Duckett has scored a combined 135 runs off 78 balls. This includes 19 fours and two sixes – he will be a player to watch in coming games,

Billings Brilliance

Sam Billings strolled to the crease with the weight of the world on his shoulders but helped his side respond well and post 182 against the Stars.

Billings was facing a hat-trick ball from Stars leg spinner Usama Mir and had just watched his side lose 3-4, but it didn’t seem to faze him.

Despite a strong start from opening duo David Warner (19 runs) and Cameron Bancroft (21 runs), Melbourne Stars had wrestled back momentum and were right on top when Billings entered the game.

Sam Billings of the Thunder bats during the BBL match between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval, on December 28, 2024, in Canberra, Australia. Picture: Mike Owen/Getty Images

The classy veteran blasted 11 boundaries (including a 101m six) on the way to 72 off just 39 deliveries.

However, the English import was up to the challenge, making light work of the power surge and hitting the Stars bowlers to all parts of Manuka Oval.

Billings said it was pleasing to put together a good score in front of an energetic crowd.

“I loved it, I always love playing down here, it’s always a really good wicket and we get some really good support,” he said.

“It was a really good win, really pleasing and positive because we know we are a better team than tonight as well.”

Non-appeal costly

The Melbourne Stars could’ve had Sam Billings back in the sheds for just 16 off 17 deliveries, if only they asked the umpire the question.

Billings guided the ball down to third man, before casually jogging through to the non-striker’s end.

Joel Paris threw the ball and hit the stumps much to the surprise of Billings and to the frustration of his teammates as it deflected for an extra run.

Captain Marcus Stoinis and bowler Peter Siddle threw their arms up in frustration but failed to ask the umpire if Billings had made his ground, which he hadn’t.

The English import went on to guide his team to a competitive score of 182.

Billings said “it felt out” and revealed that the umpire had even asked the Stars players if they wanted to appeal.

“He asked Sids if he wanted to appeal and he said ‘no I was just holding the ball’ and he kept on asking him. I said ‘ump you can’t keep asking him if they don’t want to appeal,” Billings laughed.

“I didn’t think he (Joel Paris) threw it, it was a bit dopey from me but lucky I got away with it.”

Mir-aculous turnaround

Melbourne Stars spinner Usama Mir went from zero to hero in the space of minutes on Saturday night to help nullify Thunder’s batting power and wrestle back momentum.

Mir had fans groaning in disappointment when he dropped a sitter at short fine leg in the fourth over, costing Peter Siddle an early wicket.

It was a crucial moment and a mistake that you can’t afford to make when your side is winless and in desperate need of a wicket.

\Usama Mir of the Stars bowls during the BBL match between Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder at Manuka Oval, on December 28, 2024, in Canberra, Australia. (Photo by Mike Owen/Getty Images)

But the 29-year-old was the master of his own fate when he took the ball and changed the game with back-to-back wickets just nine balls later.

Mir bowled Cameron Bancroft (21 off 16 balls) before sending Ollie Davies back to the sheds for a golden duck after taking a chest mark on a return catch – Sam Billings managed to keep out the hat-trick ball.

After being 0-41, Thunder had lost 3-4 and the Stars were in control.

Thunder bowlers deliver

It took just four balls for Lockie Ferguson to make an impact and put a smile on David Warner’s face as he removed the dangerous Sam Harper (four runs) in the first over of the second innings.

It was Ferguson’s sixth wicket this season, while fellow fast bowler Wes Agar (3-25) was at his damaging best with a triple-wicket over helping him ice the game for his team.

Sangha sidelined

Jason Sangha left the field mid-over and walked down to the rooms in frustration with a bicep injury.

The 25-year-old sustained a similar injury six weeks ago while playing for New South Wales and was forced to miss games as a result.

The injury came just three balls after Sangha claimed the prized wicket of Glenn Maxwell when the big show was caught attempting a slog sweep.