Sydney Thunder inched closer to their third Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) grand final after a nail-biting victory over Melbourne Stars, clinching the match by four wickets at Drummoyne Oval. Thunder's victory, achieved with just two deliveries to spare, sets the stage for a decisive showdown against the Melbourne Renegades, with direct qualification for the grand final at stake.

In a game defined by challenging pitch conditions, Sydney Thunder's bowling unit, led by Hannah Darlington, restricted Melbourne Stars to a modest total of 108 for 9. Darlington’s impressive figures of 3 for 26 played a pivotal role in pegging back the Stars, who continue to languish at the bottom of the league standings with only two wins from eight matches.

The chase, however, was far from straightforward for Thunder. Marizanne Kapp, with her incisive bowling, left Thunder reeling at 15 for 3 within the first three overs, capturing all three early wickets and raising hopes for the Stars. The pressure on Thunder escalated when they further stumbled to 38 for 4 after eight overs.

It was the steady hands of Tahlia Wilson and Anika Learoyd that revived Thunder’s innings. The duo meticulously navigated the tricky conditions, bringing the equation down to 23 required from the last 20 deliveries. Wilson, after a composed knock of 33, departed while trying to accelerate the score against Kim Garth, leaving Learoyd to steer the chase to its climax with an unbeaten 31.

The victory means Sydney Thunder now need to overcome the second-placed Melbourne Renegades in their final round-robin match on Saturday to secure the top spot on the league table. Achieving that would not only guarantee them a place in the December 1 grand final but also bestow the hosting rights, a significant advantage for any team.

For the Melbourne Stars, this match only deepened their woes this season. Despite a commendable effort with the ball, their batting lineup failed to capitalize on the early breakthroughs provided by Kapp, highlighting the need for a more resilient performance in future matches.

As the WBBL season approaches its climax, all eyes will be on the upcoming clash between Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades, a match that promises to deliver high-stakes drama and potentially reshape the tournament’s final stages.