Women's Big Bash League: Sydney Thunder beat Perth Scorchers in semi-final

Sydney Thunder topped the group standings

Women's Big Bash League semi-final, Adelaide:
Sydney Thunder 118-6 (20 overs): Blackwell 39, SR Taylor 24, Graham 2-15
Perth Scorchers 110-9 (20 overs): Villani 23, Farrell 3-20
Sydney Thunder won by eight runs
Scorecard (external site)

A late rally from England's Katherine Brunt could not prevent Sydney Thunder from beating Perth Scorchers to reach the final of the inaugural Women's Big Bash League.

Set 119 in Adelaide, Perth began well through Elyse Villani (23) and England captain Charlotte Edwards (18).

But Brunt was trapped lbw for 18 from 20 balls in the last over as they ended on 110-9, losing by eight runs.

Hobart Hurricanes face Sydney Sixers on Friday for a place in Sunday's final.

Hurricanes skipper Heather Knight and Sixers all-rounder Laura Marsh are the only England players left in the competition, although Marsh is not in the Sixers' 13-strong squad for Friday.

Thunder - the only Women's Big Bash team without any England internationals - were indebted to captain Alex Blackwell (39) and West Indies opener Stafanie Taylor (24), who helped them post 118-6 in 20 overs.

Thunder's Australia seamer Rene Farrell held her nerve to take two wickets in the final over of the match - Brunt and ex-England all-rounder Nicky Shaw - to finish with 3-20.

Meanwhile, Thunder's male counterparts also reached the final of the men's Big Bash League, beating Adelaide Strikers by eight wickets.

Big Bash League semi-finals
	Big Bash League	Women's Big Bash League
Thu 21 Jan (Adelaide)	Sydney Thunder beat Adelaide Strikers	Sydney Thunder beat Perth Scorchers
Fri 22 Jan (Melbourne)	Melbourne Stars v Perth Scorchers (08:40 GMT)	Hobart Hurricanes v Sydney Sixers (03:40 GMT)

West Indies' Stafanie Taylor and England's Katherine Brunt are two of the highest-profile overseas players in the Women's Big Bash