Russell stars for Sydney Thunder

SYDNEY, Australia (CMC):

West Indies all-rounder Andre Russell made an emphatic start to his Big Bash campaign, snatching three wickets to help fire Sydney Thunder to a convincing 36-run victory over Sydney Sixers in the opening game yesterday.

With Sixers chasing 159 for victory at the Sydney Showground Stadium, pacer Russell claimed three for 13 in a brilliant four-over spell to limit their scoring and reduce them to 122 all out off 19.5 overs.

Opener Michael Lumb struck 34 from 27 deliveries, with four fours, but he was only one of four players in double figures and the only one to pass 14.

Medium pacer Shane Watson claimed three for 13 from two overs.

Sixers looked to be getting off to a good start when Lumb posted 28 off 21 balls with Brad Haddin, who made 13. However, Haddin, looking to play an attacking stroke, was bowled middle stump by a full-length delivery from Russell, with the third ball of his first over.

In his next over - the sixth of the innings - Russell bowled captain Nic Maddinson for seven with the score on 37 for two; and the innings never really recovered.

Earlier, captain Mike Hussey struck an unbeaten 80 off 59 deliveries, with five fours and four sixes as Thunder made 158 for four after opting to bat first.

He put on 72 for the fourth wicket with Ben Rohrer, whose 30 came from 20 balls.

Russell finished unbeaten on four off five deliveries.