Sam Billings led Sydney Thunder to the Big Bash final with a four-wicket win against city rivals Sydney Sixers in the Challenger.
The Kent and England wicket-keeper finished with 42 not out off 29 balls to complete an anxious chase of 152 with seven balls to spare.
The Thunder, who finished bottom of the table last season, will travel to the Hobart Hurricanes for Monday's finals.
The Hurricanes – who have never won the Big Bash – topped the game while the Thunder reached their first final since lifting their only title in 2016.
The Sixers, with home advantage at the Sydney Cricket Ground after finishing higher than the Thunder in the second, were condemned to Jordan Silk for 151-7.
After the home side fell to 76-5 in the 13th over, Silk made 43 not out off 30 balls, supported by 30 from Ben Dwarshuis, to keep the Sixers competitive.
The Thunder faltered in the chase, especially against fellow Yorkshireman Jaffer Chauhan, who conceded just one boundary in his 1-22.
With 19 needed off 18 balls, Billings denied Hayden Kerr on the leg side for six, then Nathan McAndrew took four fours and a winning six off Dwarshuis to complete the victory.
“It's great,” Billings said. “I don't think we played a perfect game, but hopefully we can save that for Monday.”
Billings was full of praise for Thunder captain David Warner, the tournament's leading run-getter following his retirement from international cricket.
“His attitude and the way he approaches the game is infectious,” Billings said.
“As an Englishman saying that, few people back home would question me.
“To play alongside him, you learn every day and see why he is one of the best players to ever play this format of the game. To have that experience and leadership, he played brilliantly this year.”
