Blackcaps seamer Trent Boult made an impressive start to his time in Australia's Big Bash League with Melbourne Stars, even as his side fell to a one-wicket defeat to Sydney Thunder in their season opener.
Boult, 33, joined the Stars for their 2022/23 campaign after being released from his New Zealand Cricket central contract, and was among the top draft picks in Australia's premier T20 competition.
But after a limp performance with the bat, which saw Boult make an unbeaten four from seven balls, the Stars could only put together 122/8 from their 20 overs.
Taking the new ball, though, the Kiwi spearhead got into the act straight away.
With his second ball, Boult had Matthew Gilkes caught at gully courtesy of a stunning juggling act from sub fielder Brody Couch, and backed it next ball to dismiss South African international Rilee Rossouw, caught by Nathan Coulter-Nile at mid-off, for a golden duck.
But defending such a small target, Boult's figures of 2/21 from four overs ultimately went down in vain.
With the final ball of the innings, and one run needed for the Thunder to win, Stars wicketkeeper Joe Clarke spilled the ball, and allowed the batters to sneak a bye to get home with one wicket and no balls to spare.
In a classic low scoring thriller, the highest score on either side was just 28, made by Alex Ross of the Thunder.
Courtesy of only one match being played, Boult's Stars are bottom of the Big Bash League table, while the Thunder are top.
Fellow Kiwi Colin de Grandhomme begins his Big Bash League campaign on Wednesday night, when Adelaide Strikers host Sydney Sixers.
Colin Munro (Brisbane Heat), Martin Guptill (Melbourne Renegades) and Jimmy Neesham (Hobart Hurricanes) are the other Kiwis playing in this season's competition.
