The Sydney Thunder will face the Hobart Hurricanes for the Big Bash League title after Sam Billings led them to a successful chase against the Sydney Sixers in Friday's Challenger match.

The Thunder – who finished last in the eight-team competition in 2023-24 – made hard work of reaching a target of just 152, but Billings' unbeaten 42 helped them over the line.

Thunder captain David Warner elected to bowl after winning the toss and a couple of quick wickets had them in the ascendency, Warner catching Jack Edwards (7) off Nathan McAndrew's bowling before Kurtis Patterson fell for 11.

The Sixers steadied the ship somewhat after being dropped to 19-2, reaching 76-3 before two wickets in three balls had them teetering again, Tom Andrews having Moises Henriques (29) and Lachlan Shaw (0) taken at cover.

Jordan Silk hit 43 off 30 deliveries in a desperate attempt to drive his team to a respectable total, only for some efficient bowling to limit them to 151/7. Their hopes of defending that target, though, were boosted when a third-over miscue from Warner saw him caught for 11.

The Thunder's wickets fell at a steady pace from there, with Matthew Gilkes being run out in a misguided attempt to go for two, but Billings' steady knock got them within touching distance before McAndrew slammed the clinching six with seven balls remaining. 

SCENES at the SCG 

Here's the reaction from the dugout after the @ThunderBBL made the #BBL14 Final! pic.twitter.com/xcoCC6fHXz

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

"We didn't play our perfect game, but we hope we'll save it for the final," Man of the Match Billings said. "We're finding our way and are happy. 

"The great thing about this tournament is we've played two finals in quick succession. We've got experienced heads who'll keep the youngsters calm. 

"Warner's attitude is infectious. As an Englishman saying that, a few people would be questioning that statement! 

"But he's played and led brilliantly. It's all to play for, against the best team, in their home. Really looking forward to it."

Data Debrief: Nine-year wait almost over? 

The Thunder will now go to Hobart to face the Hurricanes in Monday's final at Bellerive Oval, looking to end their nine-year wait for a BBL crown.

They last captured the title in 2015-16, beating the Melbourne Stars in a thrilling final that saw both Kevin Pietersen and Usman Khawaja achieve scores of 70-plus.

The Thunder will hope to fare better than they did in their league-phase meeting with the Hurricanes on January 10, when they were comfortably beaten by six wickets with 3.5 overs to spare, despite a huge score of 88 from the competition's leading run-scorer Warner.