Hales blitz batters Stars as Thunder seal 75 run victory

However, both batsmen failed to pass single digits in their prospective performances, with Hales and Callum Ferguson providing the backbone of the Thunder’s entertaining innings after the team were sent in to bat first.

Opener Hales had an immediate impact with a 21-ball half century, blasting the attack to all four corners of the ground, eventually finishing with a strike-rate of 245.

It set the tone for the team, with skipper Ferguson guiding the Thunder through the middle overs with a typically controlled 51, capped off by some late fireworks from Ben Cutting.

The resulting 219 was the highest score in the Thunder’s 10-year BBL history.

The Stars, still processing their heartbreaking loss to the Sixers last week, also took an upskilled batting line-up into the chase, with valued all-rounder Marcus Stoinis returning alongside Nic Maddinson.

However, Thunder tweakers Chris Green and Tanveer Sangha provided formidable resistance, picking up both of those batsmen for minimal impact, in addition to the key wickets of Andre Fletcher and Hilton Cartright.

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Glenn Maxwell provided some late resistance for the Stars, passing 2000 BBL runs in the process, but was dismissed for 23, effectively ending the match.

Chris Green was the pick of the bowlers for the Thunder, who turned in figures of 4/34 in just his second game back after serving a 90-day ban for what Cricket Australia deemed an illegal bowling action last season.

The figures included the scalps of both of the Stars’ openers, with the tweaker also holding his composure to dismiss Ben Dunk after being hit for three consecutive sixes late in the match.

It is the heaviest defeat the Melbourne Stars have endured in their BBL history.

The Thunder’s next assignment will again be against the fledgling Renegades, whom they will meet on New Year’s day on the Gold Coast.

The Stars meanwhile will head to Hobart where they will go up against a full-force Hurricanes squad on Saturday.