Mr Cricket desperate to go out a winner

Sydney Thunder captain Michael Hussey is desperate to go out a winner at the end of this year's KFC Big Bash League season, but Mr Cricket says it's not about his legacy.

The Thunder are walking a finals tightrope heading into an intriguing last week of the regular season after being knocked from fourth place in their loss to the Melbourne Renegades on Monday night.

The western Sydney club were bumped into fifth spot by the Renegades following their five-wicket defeat at Spotless Stadium and they have been pitched into a do-or-die clash with cross-town rivals the Sydney Sixers on Saturday.

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Going into the last round of regular fixtures, the Renegades, Thunder and Hobart - equal on three wins each - are all vying for the remaining finals spot.

The Thunder must beat the Sixers to keep their hopes of a maiden finals appearance alive, while the Hurricanes face a tough road trip against the high-flying Adelaide Strikers on Wednesday.

The make up of the finals will come down to the Renagades' blockbuster against the Strikers at Etihad Stadium next Monday.

An early exit would be a tough pill to swallow for the Thunder who began the tournament with three straight victories but have gone winless in their past four outings.

Hussey, 40, will retire following the end of BBL|05 and was given a guard of honour by his Thunder teammates following their last home game of the season against the Renegades.

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The Thunder blew a golden chance to all but lock up a finals spot after failing to put the Renegades to the sword following a flying start and Hussey said their season would be seen as a failure if they did fall short.

"I'd really like to make the finals - that was my goal coming in," Hussey said.

"I'd see it as a disappointment, with the squad we've got, if we didn't get through."

Regarded as one of Australia's greatest modern day batsmen after a 79-Test career, a BBL championship would be a fitting swan song for Hussey.

However he said he was not thinking about himself and wanted to set a platform for sustained success for the Thunder.

"It's not about me, the job that I'm trying to do, it's about the club," Hussey said.

"Players will come and go but it's about trying to build something that's going to have success for a long period of time."