SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) — A brief spark from West Indies star Chris Gayle was not enough to save Sydney Thunder from a fifth straight defeat in the Australian Big Bash here yesterday.

The left-hander cracked a run-a-ball 28 as the hosts crashed to a five-wicket defeat to Kemar Roach’s Brisbane Heat at Stadium Australia.

Opting to bat first, Gayle pummelled a four and two sixes in Sydney’s 126 all out off 20 overs. He started slowly, gathering five runs from his first 14 deliveries before exploding with a six over long-on off West Indies teammate Roach and another off off-spinner Nathan Hauritz, two overs later.

He seemed to be moving into stride when he cut a slower delivery from seamer Daniel Christian to gully at 52 for two in the tenth over.

After Gayle’s departure, only Usman Khawaja with 23 passed 20 runs.

Roach finished wicket-less from four overs that cost 26 runs while Christian picked up five for 26.

In reply, 22-year-old Queenslander Chris Lynn hit an unbeaten 51 to see Brisbane home.

Thunder are yet to win a game in this year’s championship.