The Sixers denied the Thunder their maiden win of the Big Bash League season after clinching a four-wicket triumph at the Olympic stadium.
The Sydney derby went down to the wire with the Sixers needing five runs off the final eight balls before Brett Lee reeled off consecutive fours to clinch what is only his side's second win of the competition.
The winless Thunder had earlier made 6 for 132 from their 20 overs, with Usman Khawaja posting an unbeaten 66 from 47 balls, an innings that included 11 fours.
The Sixers relied heavily on the bat of Dan Hughes in their reply, the 23-year-old reaching 51 not out from 36 deliveries while partnering Lee when the winning runs were scored.
A key talking point to come out of Sunday night's clash was the heated exchanges that took place between Sixers captain Brad Haddin and the Thunder's star import Chris Gayle.
Haddin used a broadcast interview during the match to declare Gayle needs to start earning his sizeable pay packet in light of the West Indian's paltry knock of 9 when opening the Thunder's innings.
Gayle, lauded as the world's premier Twenty20 batsman when he arrived for his second Big Bash campaign on a $250,000 deal, has been well below his best, averaging just 13 from six innings.
His poor form became the subject of ridicule when Haddin was piloting the Sixers' chase.
But Gayle, who finished with bowling figures of 2 for 17, claimed a minor victory by enticing a rash shot from Haddin who was caught for 18.
Gayle celebrated Haddin's wicket by thumping his chest and starting an impromptu 'Gangnam-style' dance before the Sixers skipper continued the sledging in a sideline interview.
"He's been all talk so far this tournament and they haven't won a game," Haddin told Fox Sports.
"It's disappointing to get out then, I was feeling pretty good but at least the Thunder fans have seen Chris Gayle do something for his money."
Gayle laughed off Haddin's comments as friendly banter and pointed to his growing list of scalps this tournament that also includes retired Test great Ricky Ponting.
"I've done a lot for [the Thunder] from last year," Gayle said.
"[Haddin] is going to be in my pocket just like Ricky and the rest of the big names who I got out."
The verbal stoushes ensured there was still some spark in the contest between the competition's two worst-performed teams, which drew an impressive crowd of 20,986.
And they witnessed a capitulation from the Thunder top order, a solo recovery mission from Khawaja and successful Sixers' run chase led by Hughes.
Hughes offered just one chance, on 48, when he was dropped by Scott Coyte off the bowling of Dirk Nannes (3 for 24).
Gayle was not alone in struggling at the top of the Thunder top order - Matt Prior (4) and Chris Rogers (7) also failed to deliver.
Josh Lalor (2 for 20) and Luke Feldman (2 for 23) were the pick of the Sixers' bowlers.
The loss ensures the Thunder will finish 2012 without a single victory, their last coming on December 23 last year.
This year has been far kinder for the Sixers - they won the inaugural Big Bash tournament in January and the Champions League in October, but both their victories this summer have come against the hapless Thunder.
Meanwhile, Sixers all-rounder Steve Smith suffered rib damage during his brief knock of 14.
AAP/ABC
Tags: twenty20, cricket, sport, homebush-2140 First posted December 30, 2012 22:24:33
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