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The Perth Scorchers face an anxious wait to learn of their BBL09 finals fate, after a seven wicket loss in a rain reduced contest against Sydney Thunder at Sydney Showgrounds today.
Alex Hales struck 47 from just 27 balls to get the Sydney innings off to a flyer, before fellow recruit Chris Morris nervelessly struck Matt Kelly for a six followed by a four in the game's final over to guide his side home.
Earlier the Scorchers won the bat flip and chose to bat first, limping to 4-99 from 15 overs on a sluggish surface before the rain arrived, delaying play by more than an hour.
Cameron Bancroft made an unbeaten 35 from 25 balls to top score, Ashton Turner's tough summer continuing as he fell for a solitary single.
The rain cleared to allow the Thunder a chase of 96 in 12 overs, Hales blasting 47 as surpassed 400 runs for the tournament.
Scorchers recruit Morne Morkel had a forgettable debut, going for 18 in his only over of the match.
Some late bowling heroics from Jhye Richardson, who claimed the wicket of Alex Ross and conceded just two runs from the penultimate over set up a grandstand finish, both teams finals hopes on the line with 12 required from the final over.
Morris made sure it was the home side who was celebrating, securing the win with two balls to spare.
It means Perth must now rely on other results in order to qualify for finals having finished with a 6-8 win-loss record.
The Thunder currently occupy fourth spot, with regular season matches between Adelaide Stikers and Hobart Hurricanes (Sunday night) and Melbourne Renegades and Brisbane Heat (Monday night) still to be played.
The Scorchers need Adelaide and Melbourne to win in order to qualify, currently sitting in fifth spot.
IMAGE: Cricket Australia.