BBL: Sydney Thunder beat the Melbourne Stars in a thrilling finale in the Big Bash opener

Men's Big Bash League, Manuka Oval Melbourne Stars 122-8 (20 overs): Larkin 25 (26); Farooqi 2-20, Sams 2-21 Sydney Thunder 123-9 (20 overs): Ross 28 (27); Coulter-Nile 3-19, Webster 2-19 em>Scorecard

Set 123 to win, Thunder needed eight from last with three wickets in hand but Beau Webster took two wickets in consecutive balls, including substitute outfielder Brody Couch's superb one-handed catch at long range to take out Chris Green.

Gurinder Sandhu then broke the fourth ball over for six to even the scores, leaving Thunder needing a second ball.

A point ball followed and Sandhu played in and missed the final delivery, only for England wicketkeeper Joe Clarke not to doesn't rally and hands Thunder a bye to clinch victory in a remarkable curtain-raiser at Canberra's Manuka Oval.

The Bowl Players were ahead throughout a two-pitch run and the Stars were soon under pressure after being asked to strike first as they lost both openers in five overs.

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Joe Burns and Marcus Stoinis were cleared to play despite both testing positive for Covid-19 before the match, but the the former was forced to retire injured after appearing to pull his hamstrings, while the latter was sent off for a golden duck.

After rushing to 122-8, the Stars got off to the perfect start with the ball when new away signing Trent Boult retired Matthew Gilkes and Rilee Rossouw for ducks during his first over.

Wickets continued to drop at regular intervals throughout the innings, including three s against Nathan Coulter-Nile, but despite falling to 57-5 and then 89-7, the Thunder came home.