Jos Buttler fired a rapid 63 to help Sydney Thunder to a conclusive 21-run Big Bash victory over Sydney Sixers at Spotless Stadium.
Buttler was outstanding as he reached his total in just 37 balls, registering the half century with a six off Kent opener and England team-mate Joe Denly, before picking out Steve O'Keefe in the deep.
Joe Root could only manage nine off eight balls in an innings that saw Surrey's Tom Curran take three wickets for 24 runs, but the Thunder's score of 169 for nine from their 20 overs was still beyond their city rivals.
Oh ok, looks like Jos Buttler is in one of those moods!#BBL08 | @Weet_Bix pic.twitter.com/siZ5hpzgAN — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 24, 2018
Australia's Fawad Ahmed ripped the heart out of the Sixers' innings with three wickets, reducing them to 56 for six, although he was hit for one six by Sean Abbott that landed on the roof of the stadium.
It was Abbott's partnership with Curran that rekindled the Sixers' hopes and the England bowler's 62 off 40 balls revived a seemingly lost cause, until he was caught off the bowling of Chris Green.
Australian Daniel Sams then struck twice in the final over as the Sixers finished on 148 for nine to make it two wins from their first two matches for Thunder.
In the earlier of the two Christmas Eve fixtures, Jofra Archer took three wickets to help Hobart Hurricanes to a six-wicket victory over Melbourne Stars.
That's HUGE! Sean Abbott had his @Weet_Bix this morning! 💪 #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/cZ9naPcyns — KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 24, 2018
The Sussex paceman, who will qualify to play for England in the new year, claimed three for 25 from his four overs as Hobart secured successive wins to start their Big Bash campaign.
Archer was too quick for the Stars' openers, having Travis Dean and Ben Dunk caught inside the powerplay, before returning to trap Glenn Maxwell lbw for 47.
Hobart chased down their target of 156 with eight balls to spare thanks to a 22-ball 34 from man-of-the-match D'Arcy Short – who earlier took two for 23 with the ball.
🏏 Despite an impressive fight back from @_TC59 (62 off 40) and @seanabbott77 (35 off 28), we fall short by 21 runs against the Thunder. We'll look to bounce back against the Melbourne Stars at the SCG on Thursday.#smashemsixers #BBL08 pic.twitter.com/peZT84nlyH — Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) December 24, 2018
Archer, who also took two wickets in Hobart's opening win, insists he isn't distracted by talk around an international future.
"I just want to concentrate on here, whatever happens after happens. For me I just want to concentrate on BBL," Archer told BT Sport.
"I think I could have started a little bit better, if I'm ultra critical. It's been two good wickets for bowling on for me, so I'm happy and hopefully we will get a few more in the tournament.
"As long as everyone keeps doing their job I think we will go a long way in this tournament."
