Brett Lee's last match at the Sydney Cricket Ground seemed headed for a sombre finish before Sixers standout Jordan Silk lead a spectacular finale to steal an incredible win for the semi-finals-bound side against a desperately unlucky Sydney Thunder.
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With three overs remaining, the Sixers required 56 runs and the Thunder seemed destined for their first ever win over their cross-town rivals. But Silk - who had earlier taken the catch of the season - launched a brutal attack, smashing five sixes in a 43-ball 69 not out.
The Sixers entered the final over needing 23 and facing paceman Josh Lalor, who had brilliant figures of 4-6 after having mowed through the Sixers' top order.
By the end, however, Lalor had 4-29 and the men in magenta had performed a grand theft.
Silk hit the first ball from Lalor for two and smashed the next two for six over mid-wicket, leaving nine to win. Lalor's third ball was full and pushed for a single by Silk. Stephen O'Keefe took strike and got one down to third man for four, just out of reach of a diving fielder, leaving four to win off the last ball. O'Keefe pushed the game's final delivery past square leg for four, completing a stunning comeback in front of a NSW domestic record crowd of 36,487.
"That's one of the most amazing chases I've ever been involved in. I'm in shock," Lee said.
"I've been so lucky that I've played in some amazing matches … but this was an amazing experience."
Silk left his mark on the Thunder's innings, too, when he sprinted about 30 metres and snatched a skied ball the instant before it hit the ground. It was a classic catch to rival his freakish diving effort which was the catch of the previous BBL season.
Silks heroics will give the Sixers momentum, but they will still have to play high-flyers Adelaide Strikers in Adelaide on Saturday night, having needed to win far more comfortably to avoid the competition's top side. In the other semi-final the Perth Scorchers will host the Melbourne Stars on Sunday.
Earlier, Jacques Kallis and Aidan Blizzard scored half centuries for the Thunder, as Lee went wicketless and spinner Nathan Lyon took 3-19, again raising questions over his omission from the World Cup squad.
Kallis and fellow South African Cameron Delport built a solid opening platform, reaching 74 inside nine overs before Delport went for 30.
Kallis - who played despite stiffness in his back - topped 50 from 36 balls before Lyon lured the Proteas' great into a false stroke which had him caught by Doug Bollinger at point.
Mike Hussey, who missed the previous two matches with a calf injury, came in at No.5, scored nine and left with seven balls remaining leaving Blizzard finished the innings with 51 not out from 36 balls.
Hussey was shattered by the loss and said he thought the Thunder side would perform a little better this season than they had.
"It's a bit hard to take at the moment, I must admit. That one really does hurt," he said.
"He's done that a couple of times now, Jordan Silk. He planned it well. He obviously targeted the short boundary. We knew what he was trying to do but we couldn't quite execute what we were trying to do.
"He came out on top today. We had our chance to take him. You've got to take them in this game."
Lee said he was overwhelmed by the support he received from the crowd throughout his last appearance in a match in Sydney.
"I still can't believe I've played my last game here," he said. "I'm really happy, really content. It would have been great to get a wicket, but I don't go on stats to have a good game. To me, that is the best send off."
