A record 160-run opening stand from Mike Hussey and Jacques Kallis has helped Sydney Thunder to a huge total in their BBL opener against Brisbane Heat.

Batting together for the first time, the two 39-year-old cricket greats both blasted big half-centuries as the Thunder amassed 1-208 from their 20 overs at ANZ Stadium on Sunday night.

Hussey cracked 96 off 60 balls, including seven sixes, before skying one off Cameron Gannon to keeper Jimmy Peirson to fall tantalisingly short of a whirlwind ton.

On debut for the Thunder, Kallis went ever closer to making a century.

The South African all-rounder cleared the rope six times and belted seven fours in his 97 not out from just 55 balls.

Kallis needed three from the last ball of the innings to reach triple figures, but was unable to get bat on ball from Ryan Duffield’s final, legside delivery.

“It would have been nice to get a hundred, but I’m happy with that performance,” Kallis said.

Newly-promoted England one-day captain Eoin Morgan made 12 not out in his five-ball cameo, sharing a 48-run partnership with Kallis.

Every Heat bowler was hammered, including former England Ashes hero Andrew Flintoff on his BBL debut after more than four years in international retirement, save for a few T20 games in England earlier this year.

Flintoff was only given two overs, finishing with 0-25.