Kerr, who had a Big Bash best of 22 prior to this outing, had been moved up to open the batting, having been used in the lower middle order by the Sixers on previous appearances, and cracked 10 fours and two sixes in his fabulous knock
SCG: Adelaide Strikers 167-4, Sydney Sixers 170-6 - Sydney Sixers won by four wickets
Sydney Sixers will have the chance to defend their Big Bash title after a final-ball victory over Adelaide Strikers in the Challenger showdown at the SCG.
Hayden Kerr produced the match-winning hand, striking 98 not out from 58 deliveries - and finding the boundary from the last ball of the match, with two required - to steer the Sixers past their 168-run target with four wickets to spare.
Kerr, who had a Big Bash best of 22 prior to this outing, had been moved up to open the batting, having been used in the lower middle order by the Sixers on previous appearances, and cracked 10 fours and two sixes in his fabulous innings.
His contribution ensured that an Adelaide total of 167 for 4, build on the back of another knock of note from Ian Cockbain and a fine half-century from Jonathan Wells, was not quite enough.
Sydney Sixers will play Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash final (Mike Owen/Getty Images)
Cockbain made 48 from 42 balls, and shared in a fourth-wicket partnership worth 83 with Wells, after Strikers had limped to 21 for 3 in the powerplay.
The English batsman, who has proven to be an inspired replacement signing and a major part of Adelaide's late run through the knockout stages of the BBL, was eventually dismissed by Sean Abbott, but Wells paired up with Matt Renshaw (36 not out from 20 deliveries) to give the away side hope.
Four of the Sixers' top five then departed cheaply, as the Strikers looked to sneak an evenly balanced game, but Kerr proved immovable and destructive.
Supported by Abbott, who made another middle-order cameo worth 41 in 20 balls, he made sure the Sixers remained in touch.
And, even when two wickets in successive deliveries in the final over left Sydney 11 runs short with four balls to be bowled, Kerr kept his nerve to deposit Harry Conway into the stands for six off the fouth ball before striking a four from the last.
Strikers bow out at the end of a six-match winning streak, Kerr and the Sixers march on to Friday's final.
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