Watch: Big Bash runout fiasco dents Melbourne Stars' playoff hopes

Melbourne Stars' finals hopes are all but over, after the Big Bash's great disappointments paid the price for failing to appeal for a runout in their 18-run loss to Sydney Thunder.

Often maligned for finding new ways to shoot themselves in the foot over 14 years of the competition, the winless Stars slumped to a new level of bizarre at Canberra.

Chasing 183 for victory, Englishman Ben Duckett hit 67 from 49 balls, but no-one else could fire around him, as the Stars finished 164/8 in reply.

In reality, they should have been chasing far less, after letting Sam Billings hit 72, despite being run out on 16.

With the Thunder 95/3 in the 13th over, Billings hit a ball to short thirdman and fielder Joel Paris threw down the bowler's end stumps.

Replays later showed Billings was out of his crease when the ball hit the stumps, after not sliding his bat.

Melbourne captain Marcus Stoinis and bowler Peter Siddle both vented their frustration at Paris for giving away an overthrow, but did not appeal.

The umpire asked the pair if they wanted to, but Siddle shook his head and Stoinis feigned a "how'zat", before telling the umpire "don't worry", when asked if he wanted it checked.

"I said to the umpire, 'You can't keep asking, if they don't want to appeal'," said Englishman Billings. "Pretty dopey moment to be honest from me, I didn't know he'd thrown it.

"Quite bizarre. Sometimes you just need a bit of luck to go your way."

Billings then smacked 56 from 23 deliveries after the missed chance, beginning with a big legside boundary off Siddle on the next ball, as commentators told Glenn Maxwell of the situation.

"That seems about right... you're kidding me," said Maxwell on the Fox Sports commentary.

Making matters worse for the Stars, it wasn't the only life offered up to Billings. He was also put down by Brody Couch in the deep, when on 25, before reverse-sweeping his next three balls from spinner Usama Mir to the boundary.

The 33-year-old also belted Beau Webster for a massive six over long-on later in the innings.

In reply, the Stars looked well in the chase at 96/3 after 10 overs, before the Thunder turned the screws in the field. The next three overs went for 11 runs, with only Duckett able to offer Melbourne a hope.

When he edged a short Daniel Sams ball through to wicketkeeper Billings with 54 still required from 28 balls, the game was effectively over.

Wes Agar (3/25) then cleaned up the lower order, taking three wickets in an over in his first game for the Thunder. Black Caps speedster Lockie Ferguson took 1/27 off his four overs.

The only negative for the men in lime green was a suspected repeat of a bicep tear for legspinner Jason Sangha, hurt high-fiving teammates after taking Maxwell's wicket.

The result moves the Thunder back into the top four with a 2-1 record, while the Stars are 0-5, despite having one of the best rosters in the BBL.

Their wait for a maiden title will almost certainly extend into a 15th season, with wins in their last five games no certainty to propel them into the playoffs.