Sydney Thunder through to Big Bash League final

Khawaja finished as the second highest run-scorer by making 345 runs in just four matches with the average of 172 in which he made two centuries and as many half-centuries.

Sunday will mark a special moment for the Hussey family as Michael Hussey’s Sydney Thunder take on David Hussey’s Melbourne Stars in the 5th edition of the Big Bash final.

He smashed five sixes and four fours in his 39-ball 74.

The turnaround this year has been huge and to reach the summit, they have put in some fantastic performances to give captain Michael Hussey the send-off he deserved.

Melbourne Stars players celebrated a win against the Perth Scorchers at Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday.

With the required run-rate starting to rise, the Stars got the games key wicket of Khawaja thanks to an unlikely source.

England star Kevin Pietersen, banished in a storm of controversy from his national side, has found new life in T20 cricket, with his Melbourne Stars finishing second and playing in Friday’s second semifinal. Shane Watson (2/28) and Clint McKay (3/44) accounted for their wickets and the middle order, barring Alex Ross (47 off 38 balls), couldn’t set the tempo for a big total.

Kallis has been sidelined by a groin injury and did not play in the Thunder’s eight-wicket semi-final win against the Strikers at Adelaide Oval on Thursday night.

Stars, who have been sensational in the0 group stage would aim to lift their maiden BBL title, while Thunder, who too have been laying some good cricket of late, too, would aim to go for the title.

Thunder, on the other hand, had to win their final group game to stay in contention, which they did, and hope for Melbourne Renegades to lose to Adelaide Strikers in their final game, which also happened, enabling the Sydney side to sneak through to the knockouts for the first time.

Sydney Thunder expect South Africa great Jacques Kallis to play in the Big Bash League final.