Joe Root’s lean trot in his maiden season in Australia’s Big Bash League continued as Sydney Thunder were brushed aside by Melbourne Stars at Carrara.

England‘s Test captain laboured his way to 26 from 28 balls, his highest score in the competition, though he could not consolidate as he clipped Marcus Stoinis to midwicket.

That took the Yorkshireman’s haul to just 93 runs in six innings for the Thunder at an unwelcome average of 15.5.

Jos Buttler, Root’s deputy in the Test side, has fared much better than his England team-mate and leads the BBL run-charts, but he mustered only 18 from 17 deliveries as the Thunder limped to 135-8.

Liam Plunkett took 1-23 from his three overs for the Stars, who overhauled their target with eight wickets and 16 balls to spare.