England captain Joe Root was upstaged on his Big Bash League debut for Sydney Thunder, who beat Melbourne Stars by 15 runs on the Duckworth-Lewis method.
Root, whose highest score in 61 domestic Twenty20 matches is 92 not out, was caught by Ben Dunk off the spin of Adam Zampa for 18 off 17 balls as Thunder posted 181 for five in their opening match in Canberra.
The Yorkshireman's dismissal left Thunder on 99 for four, but he had already been joined at the crease by Australian teenager Jason Sangha, who smashed an unbeaten 63 off 36 deliveries.
OUT! The English skipper departs as Zampa claims the wicket of Root. Spin rules for the @StarsBBL right now – https://t.co/ZWgXRWMnOa #BBL08 — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 21, 2018
Sangha, who became the youngest player to score a BBL half-century, clubbed four fours and as many sixes to outshine Root and England vice-captain Jos Buttler.
The 19-year-old's 77-run fifth-wicket partnership with Daniel Sams (34) proved decisive.
Buttler, back for his second spell with Thunder having played six times for them in 2017-18, opened the batting with Australia's Shane Watson and hit two fours and a six in his 16-ball 20.
The @ThunderBBL finish their 20 overs at 5-181. A brilliant knock by @JasonSangha3 (65 off 37) who became the youngest player to ever score a BBL half century. #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/nqeuagPc4X — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 21, 2018
After a rain delay at Manuka Oval, the Stars fell short of their revised run chase of 90 off eight overs as they were restricted to 74 for six after losing four early wickets.
Thunder's left-arm pace bowler Sams took three wickets for five runs – Travis Dean, Glenn Maxwell and Evan Gulbis – to finish as man of the match.
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