Thunder keep BBL finals dream alive

The match in a tweet: Sixers get Thunder struck! Watto/Dre Russ fire Thunder to 5-202 in Mr Cricket's SCG farewell to win by 46 #BBL05

The hero: Shane Watson picked a great time to post his highest BBL score, making 66 from 41 with four sixes. Watson was promoted up the order in the absence of star pair Usman Khawaja and Jacques Kallis, and responded beautifully, blazing three sixes in an innings that propelled the Thunder to the highest total of BBL|05.

Watch: Watson blasts another BBL fifty

The support cast: Andre 'Dre-Russ' Russell, take a bow. The Jamaican has rarely disappointed throughout BBL|05 and tonight was no exception, as he clubbed four sixes in a 19-ball 46 – his highest score of the summer. It was the difference between the Thunder posting a strong total and a mammoth one, while he also chimed in with the wicket of Ed Cowan to go equal-top in the Big Bash wicket-takers list with 14. 

Watch: Dre Russ thrills at the SCG

With the ball, it was the Thunder's spinners that did the damage, Fawad Ahmed and Chris Green taking three wickets apiece to put the contest to bed.

Watch: Green takes three

The consolation effort: Nic Maddinson returned for the Sixers and, in the shadow of the Thunder's gargantuan total, put together his most impressive knock of the tournament. In 40 balls, he made 70 and hit five sixes and four fours, keeping the Sixers on pace through until the 13th over. With Maddinson at the crease and in that kind of mood, 203 looked very much achievable.

Watch: Maddinson's rapid 70

The moment: Maddinson's wicket. Ahmed was the man, tossing up a tempting offering that the left-hander looked to send over the rope. He didn't connect properly however, and Kiwi import Henry Nicholls took a good catch running in from long on.

The stat: The Thunder's 5-202 is the 11th-highest score in Big Bash history, and the 13th to reach 200. It's the second time the Thunder have reached the mark, after making 1-208 in BBL|04.

The shot: Damien Fleming called this incredible shot from Russell the 'duck-hook'. Yep, we'll follow suit, Flem.

Watch: Russell's amazing 'duck-hook'

The bling: Aiden Blizzard made a handy 20 at the top of the Thunder order but it was his bright green bat that caught the eye most … see below.

Watch: Blizzard's fluro green bat

The farewell: Mike Hussey made a sensational 41 from 29 in his final innings on the Sydney Cricket Ground, a venue he made three centuries at during his illustrious Test career. Whether they were wearing pink or magenta, the fans gave the 40-year-old a deserved standing ovation after he'd helped his side to a monster total.

Watch: Hussey farewells SCG in style

The finals equation: The Thunder are exceptionally close to a finals berth now, but can't rest easy just yet. If the Stars lose tonight, they're through on net run rate. If the Stars win however, and the Renegades spring an upset at Etihad against the Strikers, it'll be net run rate that determines whether the men in green reach their first-ever BBL finals ahead of the Renegades.