Matthew Gilkes' classy 93 has helped the Sydney Thunder post 7-172 against the Adelaide Strikers after the hosts won the toss and batted in their BBL clash at Sydney Showground Stadium.
The Strikers, searching for their second win of the Big Bash League season, could not stop the Thunder opener, who blasted nine fours and three sixes.
Gilkes' innings came after an early life when Rashid Khan dropped him with the innings' second ball.
But Ben Cutting got things going next over with two boundaries.
Gilkes joined in with multiple boundaries but Cutting upped the ante with a huge six over mid-wicket to take the Thunder to 0-38 from four overs.
Cutting looked in great touch and lofted Fawad Ahmed back over his head for another six but fell in the next over trying to do the same thing to Wes Agar and he was caught for 34 to leave the Thunder 1-64.
The in-form Jason Sangha, fresh from an unbeaten 91 on New Year's Eve, went cheaply soon after as Khan began working his magic with the ball.
At 2-73 after 10 overs, the Thunder were looking to get on their way but Sam Billings chipped one to long-on for just 11.
But Gilkes took 17 off an Ahmed over soon after to move his side to 3-124.
And he brought his half-century up with a six as Ollie Davies helped out with 14 before Peter Siddle trapped him lbw.
Gilkes continued to thrive, taking three consecutive fours off Khan and had a century in his sights after clearing the boundary off Agar before but holing out to deep mid-wicket for 93.
Siddle and Agar each finished with three wickets.