Sydney Sixers stunned the much-fancied Adelaide Strikers with an 87-run win on Saturday night to advance into the Big Bash League final.

Chasing Sydney’s 4-181, Adelaide – who topped the table after the preliminary rounds – could muster just 94 all out.

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The Strikers slumped to defeat before a bumper 52,633 crowd at Adelaide Oval – the largest cricket attendance at the venue, eclipsing the 50,962 who watched a day of the infamous Bodyline Test series in 1932/33.

The crowd figure also was a record for the BBL, surpassing the 46,581 who watched a Melbourne derby two summers ago.

Sydney will meet the victor of Sunday night’s fixture between the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars.

The Sixers produced a complete performances on away soil to secure their spot in Wednesday’s final in Canberra.

After Nic Maddinson blasted 85 from 46 balls, the Sixers then turned the screws with the ball en route to a comprehensive triumph.

Adelaide were never in the chase after losing a succession of early wickets – they were 4-38 in the seventh over and doomed to defeat.

Of Adelaide’s top seven batsmen, only Brad Hodge, on return from a broken left arm suffered a month ago, passed 15.

But Hodge only made 20 from 14 balls and the Strikers’ meek effort was evidenced by the fact Ben Laughlin, batting at number 10, top-scored with 22.

Paceman Doug Bollinger claimed 3-21 while teammates Nathan Lyon, Steve O’Keefe and Sean Abbott snared two wickets each.

Earlier, Sydney’s Maddinson cracked five sixes and seven fours in his knock to propel the visitors to their commanding total.

The left-hander started relatively sedately before tearing into the Adelaide bowlers late.

Opener Michael Lumb (32 from 19 balls), Moises Henriques (27 not out from 19) and Riki Wessells (24 from 24) made handy contributions.