Sam Billings’ 72 off 39 balls helped Sydney Thunder beat Melbourne Stars for 18 runs at the Great Festival.
England wicketkeeper Billings hit nine fours and two sixes to take the Thunder to 182-8.
The next highest score was 33 by Jason Sangha and Billings should have been run out for 16, but the Stars did not appeal after a direct hit.
England opener Ben Duckett scored 67 off 49 balls in the Stars’ reply, his second consecutive fifty in the competition, but regular wickets hampered his chase.
Marcus Stoinis was caught at extra cover for 22 and Glenn Maxwell swept for six.
The Stars needed 56 off the last five overs but Duckett was caught behind attempting a pull and Wes Agar ran through the lower order, taking three wickets in the 19th over.
The Thunder move up to third place in the table with a second win in three games, but the Stars are last, without a win in five tries.
![Billings hits 72 in Thunders win against Stars.page&x1=[urn:bbc:optimo:asset:cp834rnknpro]&x4=[en g](https://whatsnew2day.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Billings-hits-72-in-Thunders-win-against-Stars.page&x1=[urn:bbc:optimo:asset:cp834rnknpro]&x4=[en-g.gif "Billings hits 72 in Thunder's win against Stars 8"){kind=small}