Overseas talent Sam Billings has led the Sydney Thunder to their first Big Bash League (BBL) final since 2016 after a decisive victory against arch-rival Sydney Sixers at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

Days after defeating the Glenn Maxwell-led Melbourne Stars, English international Sam Billings produced a quality batting display in the middle-order to steer the Sydney Thunder to victory which will see them enter the final against the Hobart Hurricanes for the first time in eight years.

While it wasn't a star-studded innings with different shots and multiple boundaries, Billings was able to control the match by turning over the strike and finding the gaps in the field as he guided his team to the final game of the 2024/25 Big Bash League (BBL) season.

Finishing with 42 runs off 29 deliveries - and winning the match with a well-timed maximum - it took him to the second last over to chase the runs.

Only chasing 150 on a good batting wicket, the Thunder got off to a terrific start through Jason Sangha (30) who hit three boundaries in the first over after entering the team only after Oliver Davies was ruled out with injury earlier in the day.

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Although former Australian vice-captain David Warner hit a six off his first ball, his tenure at the crease was short-lived and it was surprisingly the under-rated Matthew Gilkes (26) who produced a stellar cameo with the Englishman.

The victory is even more impressive considering they were without Davies, Cameron Bancroft, Daniel Sams and Sam Konstas.

The four players have arguably been their best when available, and they even had to play with assistant coach Daniel Christian for a couple of matches earlier in the year because there were not enough players fit in the squad.

However, the Sydney Sixers were also without James Vince, Sean Abbott, Steve Smith and Todd Murphy.

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Following a disastrous start that saw openers Jack Edwards and Kurtis Patterson exit in quick succession.

Skipper Moises Henriques (29) steadied the ship before Jordan Silk (top-scored with 43) and Ben Dwarshuis (30) got them to a respectable total of 150.

Failing to create a good total with the bat, the Sixers' struggles continued in the field, which saw them miss multiple opportunities and allow extra runs to be scored.

Lachlan Shaw dropped an easy catch on the boundary and Jordan Silk missed a run-out chance against Billings in what was a surprise to many fans considering he is regarded as one of the best fielders in Australia.