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WHO said Twenty20 was no country for old men?
Thirty-nine-year-old stars Mike Hussey and Jacques Kallis proved class is ageless when they guided the Sydney Thunder to a comfortable opening BBL win over Brisbane in the BBL.
Hussey (96) and Kallis (97 not out) flayed the Heat attack to all parts of ANZ Stadium and the hosts' total of 208 was too many for the Brisbanites, who could only manage 152 in reply.
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In his BBL debut, Kallis couldn't stay out of the action with the South African legend winning man-of-the-match by also taking a wicket and a catch in the 56-run win.
"He showed why he is one of the best players to have ever played the game," Hussey said.
"It was just nice to have him on our team for once instead of having to play against him."
Jacques Kallis hits the ball over cover on his way to an unbeaten 97. Photo by Mark Metcalfe Source: Getty Images
In stark contrast, the debut of Heat recruit Andrew Flintoff was as cold as a Lancastrian Christmas. The English star scored a three-ball duck and took 0-25 runs from two overs.
At an age where most of their contemporaries are straining shirt buttons up in the commentary box, however, Hussey and Kallis looked as comfortable as ever in the middle with a display of pure hitting in their opening partnership.
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It was a first-wicket record for the Thunder and in hindsight, should have come as no surprise.
Between them Hussey and Kallis boast 235 Test caps, 513 international one-dayers and almost 40,000 runs in the two forms.
But when knocking on the door of 40 and playing a game supposedly suited to kids half that age, does doubt creep in?
Yeah, nah.
Hussey began the entertainment by racing to 50 from 36 balls, and after a slower start, Kallis just about matched him by bringing up his half-century from 37 balls.
Mike Hussey hits a six over the mid-wicket fence. Photo by Mark Metcalfe. Source: Getty Images
At one point the Thunder's opening game could have been mistaken for an over-35s league, with Flintoff (37) and Daniel Vettori (35) trundling in to the everlimegreen 39-year-olds.
On a pitch with plenty of pace and against a Heat attack bowling too short, Hussey belted four sixes and seven sixes Hussey picked up the pace and looked set to cruise to a century but was caught behind just four short.
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It was enough to make you wonder: why exactly is a player as good as Hussey not in contention for the World Cup?
Unlike his Aussie teammate, Kallis doesn't carry the exact same frame as he did when he was 21 but blessed with the timing of a Swiss watch, who cares?
Joe Burns takes one in the ribs during his innings. Pic. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia
Kallis looked to be no hope of a ton after Hussey departed but he freed burly shoulders in the last three overs and smashed 33 runs. It was too late, though, and Kallis fell three runs short.
"It would have been nice to get 100 but I am happy with my performance," Kallis said.
The pace in the pitch gave the Heat some confidence of hauling in the Thunder total.
Dropping a first wicket with only one run on the board wasn't the best start but some crisp hitting from new Test batsman Joe Burns (28), Chris Lynn (40) and Nathan Reardon (48) kept them in the hunt.
Andrew Flintoff after being out caught for a duck. Pic. Phil Hillyard Source: News Corp Australia
The Heat needed one of to emulate Hussey and Kallis however, but none did. By the time Reardon departed, the wheels fell off.
Old men Flintoff and Vettori must have felt like ANZ Stadium was not country from them, though, after the pair both posted ducks chasing a rapidly disappearing victory.
The Thunder's big win was a bright start to their new era, after several seasons of underperformance.
The only slight edge of disappointment was a crowd of 10,552 but that figure will undoubtedly grow if the old dogs keep up the same tricks.
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