Sydney Thunder 181-7 (19.3 overs, Khawaja 70, Stoinis 3-30) beat the Melbourne Stars 176-9 (20 overs, Pietersen 74, Watson 2-17) by three wickets with three balls to spare.
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The Thunder’s main weapon is opening batsman Usman Khawaja, who scored an unbeaten 109 against the Strikers and is averaging 275 in the tournament.
Billed as the “Battle of the Brothers” with Michael Hussey leading Thunder against Stars led by his younger brother David Hussey, the final of the fifth edition of the Big Bash League didn’t fail to disappoint with the match being a closely fought contest.
“I know how much work has gone in behind the scenes to build this club and to be a part of that is very special”.
MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA – JANUARY 22: Michael Klinger of the Perth Scorchers plays a reverse sweep during the Big Bash League Semi Final match between the Melbourne Stars and the Perth Scorchers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on January 22, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia.
Shane Watson and Chris Green each took two wickets, with the latter taking the important scalp of Pietersen, to restrict the Stars to a manageable target under lights. Luke Wright and Kevin Pietersen made sure the score board kept ticking for Melbourne as they put on a 44-run partnership for the second wicket.
Brad Hodge’s team secured a home semi-final against the Sydney Thunder, who will be playing in the finals for the first time when they line-up at the Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.
They fought hard to restrict the Thunder but the total never looked big enough once Khawaja teed off.
In the men’s, Melbourne Stars clash with Perth Scorchers while on the women’s side, Hobart Hurricanes featuring teenaged West Indies opener Hayley Matthews, take on Sydney Sixers.
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Ben Rohrer hit a six to seal the three-wicket victory for a side competing in their first final after finishing last on three occasions.
