However, Wright failed to carry on and was dismissed by Shane Watson soon after the team reached 50.

Luke Wright scored a 24-ball 23 to help Melbourne recover from the early setback.

Shane Watson gave Sydney Thunder the much-needed early breakthrough by dismissing Marcus Stionis for just 5 in the second over.

Kevin Pietersen scored a 39-ball 74 to lift Melbourne to 176 for 9.

Jacques Kallis (28) scored 86 runs for the first wicket with Usman Khawaja in just nine overs to give Sydney a solid start.

Usman Khawaja raced to his half-century off just 27 deliveries to ensure Sydney were on track in their chase even after losing Kallis and Shane Watson (6) in quick succession.

David Hussey got the all-important wicket of Khawaja and Sydney soon found themselves stuttering at 163 for 6.

Michael Hussey could score just 18 in his last outing on the Australian soil but Ben Rohrer's 9-ball 13 took Sydney to a three-wicket win and helped them lift their maiden Big Bash title.