WATCH: Controversial run out mars all-Sydney BBL Challenger

The Thunder is through to the BBL Decider, defeating the Sixers in an all-Sydney BBL Challenger final as a controversial run out decision threatened to shape the outcome of the clash.

Western Sydney, unite! The Thunder are on the cusp of Big Bash glory.

Hot on the heels of last week’s rain-ruined Sydney Smash, Sam Billings and Nathan McAndrew have washed away the Sixers’ season as the Thunder surge towards a long awaited second title, securing a spot in Monday’s decider in Hobart.

Oozing with confidence after they blew away the Melbourne Stars on Wednesday, Billings teed and McAndrew teed off in the four-wicket victory, ending a six-match losing streak to their cross-town rivals in front of 32,107 fans at the SCG on Friday night.

After restricting the Sixers to a modest 7/151, recalled opener Jason Sangha and Dave Warner got the Thunder away to a flyer. Wickets continued to fall at consistent intervals, but with Sam Billings at the crease hopes never faded.

Nathan McAndrew celebrates victory after hitting the winning runs for the Thunder. Picture: Getty Images

Needing 23 off the final 18 balls with five wickets in hand, the Englishman opted for the Power Surge and immediately landed the killer blow with a six over deep square.

Nathan McAndrew wasn’t far off the pace, confident after another fine night with the ball, he joined the party, striking 19 off 7 including a six off Ben Dwarshuis to seal the deal with seven balls to spare.

FINALS CURSE

Following last season’s heavy grand final loss to the Brisbane Heat, the SCG is fast becoming a finals graveyard for Henriques’ team.

Any luck they had with a couple of fielding lapses disappeared when Josh Philippe was caught short at the non-strikers after a retreating Tanveer Sangha deflected the ball into the stumps in the ninth over.

Jack Edwards reacts to the controversial Matthew Gilkes run out, thinking he would be responsible for the Thunder batter getting a second life. Picture: Getty Images

Henriques smashed the cover off that ball, and did the same in the 12th over, only for George Garton to hold an absolute screamer in the covers.

After recovering to 3-76, the Sixers had lost two wickets without any addition when Lachie Shaw fell to Tom Andrews in the same over.

GO-TO MEN

It wasn’t their night, but Sixers wouldn’t swap crowd favourites Jordan Silk and Dwarshuis in a heart beat, and with their side under the pump at 5-76, they were always going to put up a fight.

Silk did what he does best, clearing the fence twice while ticking over the score with 43 off 30 balls. A proven late order masterblaster, Dwarshuis hammered 30 off 20 to give the Sixers hope in a stand that yielded 56 in less than eight overs.

ALL WOOD, NO ZING

In a game void of a catching debate, Jack Edwards had the video umpire scratching for answers when Matthew Gilkes was caught short of his ground in the 9th over.

Appearing to dislodge the bails before Hayden Kerr’s rocket returned crashed into the stumps, a disappointed Gilkes was given out for 26 after it was ruled the bails only lit up after the ball made contact.

Big call, that.

Matthew Gilkes was given out by third umpire after this incident at the SCG. #BBL14pic.twitter.com/YTb0886Wn9

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 24, 2025

Matthew Gilkes slides home while Jack Edwards watches the ball hit the stumps. Picture: Getty Images

TASSIE CURSE

Eager to wipe away memories of their most recent visit to the Tasmanian capital. To hoist their first trophy since 2015-16, the Thunder will need to combat a blazing Hurricanes top order and the destructive backend power of Tim David.

Overrun earlier this month in Hobart, the men in lime green were well placed untitled Daivd unleashed six maximums at the death.

PREVIEW: DAVIES RULED OUT

Sydney Thunder’s bid for a first BBL final berth in nine years has been dealt a setback with batter Ollie Davies ruled out of Friday’s Challenger due to injury.

Davies, who topscored with 36 in the Thunder’s Knockout victory over Melbourne Stars, suffered a thigh injury and was unable to field.

He has been replaced in the Thunder squad for the all-Sydney final by Blake Nikitaris.

Ollie Davies will miss the Challenger due to injury. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

The injury blow opens the door for former Sixers all-rounder Dan Christian to face his old side.

The Thunder said they were hopeful Davies would be fit to face Hobart Hurricanes in Monday’s final should they progress.

The Challenger starts at 7.15pm at the SCG.

Originally published as WATCH: Controversial run out mars all-Sydney BBL Challenger