Adelaide Strikers captain Peter Siddle stepped up when he was needed the most to help his side to a thrilling BBL11 Knockout final win over the Sydney Thunder at the MCG.
The Strikers are priced at 7/2 to win the Big Bash League and if they can knock over the Sydney Sixers on Wednesday night they will face the Perth Scorchers who are waiting in the final.
Bang in form
The Sixers have hit form at just the right time and confidence will be sky high after they picked up their sixth win on the bounce in thrilling circumstances.
The Strikers posted 6-184 off their 20 overs and the Thunder looked on course to get there before Siddle weaved his magic in the 17th over to take two crucial wickets.
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Siddle thought the Thunder were closing in on his side's target and was relieved to strike.
"When they were in that position (Thunder 2-146 in the 17th), it was going to be hard work," Siddle said. "We were going to have to execute and get the job done with the ball.
"It was nice to get a couple in that over and Harry Conway from the other end, what a superb finish from him."
Controversy
The Thunder finished with 6-178 but there was also controversy earlier in their innings when Usman Khawaja stood his ground after slicing a Matt Short delivery which was caught by Fawad Ahmed.
Khawaja thought the ball had brushed the turf before it went into Fawad's right hand, but umpire Donovan Koch's soft signal was out and the television umpire agreed.
"No, I didn't (think it was out)," Khawaja told the Seven Network. "I thought at the end of the day the soft signal cost me.
"It looked like a blade of glass 100 per cent touched the ball. I don't agree with it, but I have to accept it."
