Morgan was named Man of the Match for his game-winning performance

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

Eoin Morgan handed the Sydney Thunder their first win of their Big Bash League (BBL) campaign as he thumped a six off the last ball to lead them to a six-wicket win over the Melbourne Stars.

Furthermore, it was the perfect way for Morgan to cap off his BBL journey as he will now travel to India to captain England in their upcoming limited overs series, which starts on January 15.

Being put in to bat first, the Stars got off to a great start as Glenn Maxwell and Luke Wright amassed a 49-run partnership before Maxwell was dismissed by Thunder captain Shane Watson for 34.

Wright and David Hussey fell shortly after for 25 and 15 respectively, but Pietersen stabilised the innings for the Stars with his brilliant knock of 60, which came off 37 balls and included seven boundaries and two sixes.

Pietersen’s knock of 60 went in vain

Image courtesy of: Zimbio

However, once Pietersen was gone, courtesy of a superb caught and bowled by Watson, the runs started to dry up for the Stars and they eventually finished on 166/8 off their 20 overs.

Watson was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets, while Chris Green and Fawad Ahmed snapped up two wickets apiece. Pat Cummins, meanwhile, chipped in with one.

Chasing 167 to win, the Thunder made a brisk start to their innings, mostly thanks to opener Kurtis Patterson, but his time at the crease came to an end when he was caught behind off the bowling of Scott Boland for 28.

Aiden Blizzard and Watson were sent packing in quick succession, but just as the Thunder were recovering Ben Rohrer was clean bowled by Adam Zampa for 20.

Despite this, Morgan and Cummins kept the Thunder in the game and inched their side ever closer to their first win of the season.

Heading into the final over, the Thunder needed 16 runs to win and made a strong start as they scored eight runs off the first three balls. With only three runs coming off the next two balls, the Thunder needed five runs to win off the last ball of the match, and Morgan delivered as he hammered the ball down the ground for a huge six to seal the deal.

Morgan and Cummins ended up putting together an unbeaten 84-run partnership, with the former finishing on 71 off 50 balls, which included five boundaries and three sixes, while Cummins remained undefeated on 22 off 20 deliveries, which included one boundary and a six.

Ben Hilfenhaus was the most successful bowler with two wickets, while Boland and Zampa claimed one wicket apiece.

Morgan was named Man of the Match.