Ball By Ball Commentary: Melbourne Stars Vs Sydney Thunder, 56th Match

So that's all from the league stages. The race for the playoffs came right down to the final game and it's the Thunder who're going through at the expense of Hobart Hurricanes. There'll be a day's break before the playoffs get underway on Friday. We'll see you then! Goodbye!

Green, Player of the Match: Hard to describe the emotions. Have scraped in by the barest of margins. Have to rectify the batting. Bowling has been our strength. Have to keep that going. Batters need to stand up in the top four. Feedback was that that was bouncy. But we weren't busy enough. It's an exciting opportunity to host the final. Our fans are really excited. Can't wait to get at the Showground. It's a side we've beaten twice already.

22:29 Local Time, 11:29 GMT, 16:59 IST: that got more tense than they would've liked but Thunder have got the job done. They are through to the Eliminator where they will host Brisbane Heat. The target was only 120, but even that proved a struggle for their batting lineup which has underperformed this year. They lost wickets at the top, consumed too many dots and invited stress on themselves. The pitch wasn't straightforward either, offering plenty of bounce for the bowlers. But a crucial cameo from Sams, scoring 28 off 18, turned the tide at the death. And in a low-scoring game as this one, sometimes that's all that takes.

18.5 Wood to McAndrew, FOUR , Thunder are through to the playoffs! McAndrew seals their qualification as he whacks this full delivery over midwicket and sends Hurricanes packing. Stars' forgettable campaign ends with a defeat

18.4 Wood to McAndrew, 2 runs, goes high off the top-edge but is over the keeper's head ! fewer ball on middle, McAndrew swings hard on the pull and gets lucky. Fine leg cuts that off

Just 6 needed off 9

18.3 Wood to McAndrew, 2 runs, full and wide, McAndrew slices that over cover, back for two

18.2 Wood to Chris Green, 1 run, fewer of length around off, Green punches that through point and settles for one as he sees Cartwright charging in

The physio is out to check on McAndrew. He looks fine

18.1 Wood to McAndrew, leg byes, 1 run, fewer ball angled in, hits McAndrew on the helmet as he misses the pull

Luke Wood [3.0-0-24-1] is back in the attack

Thunder need 10 off the final two overs to qualify for the playoffs. Hurricanes will go through if they fail.

17.6 Liam Hatcher to Chris Green, no run, nice length around off, Green pushes wide of fewer cover where Zampa makes a diving stop

17.5 Liam Hatcher to McAndrew, 1 run, pitched up on off, McAndrew turns firmly but there's a desperate dive from Kellaway at mid-on to cut that off

17.4 Liam Hatcher to McAndrew, no run, banged in short, McAndrew looks to pull but is beaten by the bounce

17.3 Liam Hatcher to McAndrew, 2 runs, length ball just outside off, McAndrew opens the face and runs that wide of third man. He charges back for two

17.2 Liam Hatcher to McAndrew, no run, full ball that nips in sharply and goes right through McAndrew ! Wasn't far from taking leg stump

Sandhu is padded up and seems like he will bat if needed

17.1 Liam Hatcher to McAndrew, no run, length ball on middle, McAndrew hangs back and rescue to mid-on

Liam Hatcher [3.0-1-15-0] is back in the attack