If the Renegades beat Adelaide they can sneak into the top four, but need to improve their net run-rate, which is 0.219 below the Thunder who are sitting on eight points.

Melbourne will have to win by 38 runs if they bat first or chase a total within 15.1 overs if they are to leapfrog the Thunder into fourth position.

Such a complicated equation would not have eventuated had the Perth Scorchers not floundered in their chase of 147 against the Stars on Saturday evening.

They failed to exhibit the brand of cricket we have come to expect from them in the last four weeks as Daniel Worrall (3-11) and Ben Hilfenhaus (3-17) spearheaded the Stars to a 52-run victory.

In doing do, the Stars pinched a home semi-final from the Scorchers who will now have to play at the MCG.

Shane Watson, who crunched 66 from 41 balls against the Sixers in his side's 46-run win at the SCG, said if the Thunder could squeeze their way into the final four they were most definitely a chance of going all the way.

"The key is to get in the semi-finals and then anything can happen," Watson said. "We've seen it in so many different tournaments; if you're able to get into the knock-out stages, then anything can happen. The performance we put on [against the Sixers] was very impressive against a very good team. Compared to where we've been we've played some great cricket throughout this tournament. Hopefully we can take that momentum into the semis, depending on results."

Big-name players have a habit of reappearing and contributing in big matches – something Watson has done on many occasions in the past.

He had made just 30 runs in his first four Big Bash innings, but hit his straps in the latter part of the tournament, belting 192 runs from his final four digs.

"I've been batting a lot more to what I sort of expect of myself," said Watson, who is still well in the frame for a spot in Australia's World T20 squad. "A couple of things I've been working on previously have really come together nicely. It's nice to be able to get a few out of the middle again because it's been a little while since I've been able to put a few good performances together."

If the Thunder do progress, Jacques Kallis will have until Thursday to prove his fitness after missing the Sydney derby because of a groin injury.

"There's a big chance [of him playing]," said captain Mike Hussey. 'He'll be doing everything he can rehab-wise, so we'll just have to wait and see what happens. We'll welcome him back for sure, he's a big player."

Meanwhile, Thunder officials are hoping Usman Khawaja will be released from national duties so he is available for the semi-final, should they make it.

Khawaja was drafted into Australia's one-day squad for Dave Warner who missed the second and third matches against India to be with his wife Candice following the birth of their second child.