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AAP
AAP
Sport
Oliver Caffrey

Thunder set sights on BBL finals run

Jason Sangha believes Sydney Thunder can cause some surprises in the BBL finals. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS) (AAP)

Returning allrounder Jason Sangha believes the Sydney Thunder can cause some trouble in the BBL finals after sneaking into the top-five.

The Thunder locked in the last spot in the BBL finals with a tense three-wicket win against the lowly Melbourne Stars at the MCG on Wednesday night.

The unconvincing victory allowed the Thunder to jump into fourth to secure a home final, knocking Hobart down to sixth.

The Thunder will host Brisbane at Sydney Showground Stadium on Friday night.

"Looking back at our season, it has been a bit of a rollercoaster," Sangha said.

"The one good thing is we've managed to find a way in those tight situations, we're just finding ways to win.

"In the finals series, all you need is a couple of things to go your way.

"For us going forward is just recognising those key moments in a game."

The clash with the Thunder was Sangha's first game since he broke his collarbone on December 18.

Despite being named captain for this season, Sangha opted to leave the captaincy with Chris Green after the spinner had done the job for most of the tournament.

But the Thunder are likely to be without paceman Gurinder Sandhu against the Heat after the 29-year-old suffered another calf injury.

The Thunder's appearance in the finals looked shaky at numerous stages throughout the campaign, with the low-point coming when they were all-out for a T20 record low of 15 against Adelaide.

The winner of the clash between the Thunder and Heat will back up on Sunday night for another sudden-death match against the Melbourne Renegades.

Top teams Perth and the Sydney Sixers will battle on Saturday night in front of up to 50,000 fans at Optus Stadium.

The winner of that match will earn hosting rights for the final on February 4, with the loser to play the winner of Sunday night's match at Marvel Stadium.

BBL FINALS

'The Eliminator' - Sydney Thunder (4) v Brisbane Heat (5), Sydney Showground Stadium, Friday, 7:15pm

'The Qualifier' - Perth Scorchers (1) v Sydney Sixers (2), Optus Stadium, Saturday, 4:15pm AWST

'The Knockout' - Melbourne Renegades (3) v winner of 'The Eliminator', Sunday, Marvel Stadium, 7:15pm AEDT.

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