'The Sydney Thunder way': Thunder lock in first BBL final berth in nine years with win over crosstown rivals

The Sydney Thunder have advanced to the BBL final with a four-wicket win over the Sydney Sixers on Friday night.

It's just the second time the Thunder have booked their spot in the big dance.

They'll face off against the Hobart Hurricanes, who have never won a BBL title.

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But the Thunder's win didn't come without controversy.

The Sixers set a target of 151, with the Thunder forced to chase down after losing captain David Warner (11 off 9) early.

In the ninth over, Matthew Gilkes and Sam Billings called to make a second run, before Sixers bowler Jack Edwards nabbed what looked to be a stunning run-out.

But Edwards didn't celebrate, instead looking disappointing, figuring the bails had been dislodged by his hand and not the ball.

It when to the third umpire and Gilkes was given out, forced to walk after making 26 off 22.

When quizzed on the controversy soon after, Edwards' teammates Lachie Shaw leapt to his defence.

"I think Jack's hands touched the bail, but didn't dislodge it," Shaw said on Fox.

It was international import Billings who put the Thunder on his back, charging through the innings to smash an unbeaten 42 off 29, alongside Nathan McAndrew, who teed off late.

Needing 12 from the last two overs, it felt like the Thunder had regained control.

"It's the Sydney Thunder way. We always take it down to the last couple of balls," Warner said on Fox post-match.

Before this challenger final, the Sixers had won their last six Sydney Smash matches.

It's been nine years since the Thunder's last and only BBL championship win, when they defeated the Melbourne Stars at the MCG.

The Thunder and the Hurricanes face off on Monday night.