England T20 cricket captain Eoin Morgan carried Sydney Thunder to a dramatic BBL season-saving win against the Melbourne Stars in his final appearance of this season’s tournament at Spotless Stadium.

Morgan smashed a last ball six in an unbeaten 71 off 50 balls, as Thunder’s stuttering title defence finally kicked into gear with their first win in five matches.

Chasing the Melbourne Stars’ score of 8-166 Thunder needed 16 from the last over.

The still needed 14 off the last four balls and five off the final delivery from Ben Hilfenhaus, which left hander Morgan smoked for six.

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— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 4, 2017

Nothing seemed to be going right for Thunder earlier in the evening.

Out of form allrounder Andre Russell was taken off the ground in a medicab after suffering a hamstring injury nine overs into the Stars’ innings.

Russell hobbling out of the game and possibly the tournament seemed to sum up the sad state of a title defence that has never gained any momentum.

Bowler Andre Russell suffered a hamstring injury and is doubtful for the rest of the BBL. Photo: Getty

The Stars built a solid total with Kevin Pietersen (60 from 37) smashing seven fours and two sixes in a typically belligerent exhibition of strokeplay.

A groin strain then prevented him from taking the field at the start of Thunder’s innings.

The Stars had got off to a rollicking start, thrashing 62 off the first six overs, with Glenn Maxwell smashing 34 off 22 balls and Luke Wright 25 off 12.

The innings, which finished in steady rain, fell away after Pietersen’s dismissal, with the Stars losing 5-16 inside the last five overs as Thunder captain Shane Watson impressed with 3-23.

Thunder’s openers then dashed to 38 after four overs but the fizz among the sellout crowd quickly evaporated as they then lost 3-5 before Morgan rebuilt the innings and raised the hopes of the 20,076-strong crowd.

Morgan put on 42 with Ben Roherer (20 off 19) and then added 83 in 7.1 overs with Pat Cummins (22 not out off 20) to steer them to the vital win.

-AAP