Jacques Kallis’s return to Sydney Thunder in the Big Bash League was short and not so sweet: 15 runs off 17 balls.

Fresh from his escapades with Shane Warne’s USA extravaganza and signing up for the Masters series in the UAE, Kallis straight-batted the first ball of the new BBL season from the Sydney Sixers. He smote the next one for four; but then, 15 balls and 11 runs later, he was on his way back, cutting Sean Abbott to deep point.

Still, Thunder’s captain Mike Hussey was in good form, hammering 82 off 60 balls (5×4, 4×6) to take his team to 158-4. That was more than enough to win by 36 runs.

Johan Botha was one of the more conservative bowlers for the Sixers, going for 27 off his four overs. He was in a difficult position when he came in to bat, with the Sixers four down and way behind the required rate. He contributed 13 off 17. Kallis played his part by dismissing a stubborn Michael Lumb (34), and conceding 16 runs off his three overs.

Kevin Pietersen opens his BBL account with the Melbourne Stars on Friday against the Strikers in Adelaide

Meanwhile, Eastern Province all-rounder Marizanne Kapp has also been struggling in the women’s version, although not as much as some of her Sydney Sixers teammates. After scoring 21 off 28, batting at No 6, and taking 1-7 in her first game, she has been been promoted to open with mixed fortunes, with scores of 0, 23 (4×4) and 21 (4×4). But the Sixers have lost every time.

Dane van Niekerk came good in her last game for Melbourne Renegades, top-scoring with 45 off 44 (5×4). But it was not enough as the Hobart Hurricanes won by four runs