The Melbourne Stars have qualified for the semi-finals of the Big Bash T20 League after clinching a tense victory over Sydney Thunder.
The Stars, who were forced to compete without captain Shane Warne due to a one-match ban, set the chase total after winning the toss and deciding to bat but it was a shaky start for the home side, who lost Luke Wright in the third over when he was run out by Chris Gayle.
Brad Hodge took a stronghold of the Stars' innings by racking up 39 runs before getting bowled out, while David Hussey added 32 runs to his side's total until he was caught out by Mark Cosgrove.
Wickets began to tumble for the Stars and Gayle managed to get John Hastings out for four as the Stars secured 145-8 after 20 overs.
Thunder, who have not won one game during their Big Bash campaign, took to bat with Gayle, who started strongly and was able to hold off the Stars to claim a run-total of 65.
The away side were close to causing an upset but the bowling of James Faulkner, who claimed three wickets, managed to hold Thunder's chase and gifted the Stars a victory by 13 runs.
