D'Arcy Short, whose often cutthroat batting at the top of the order reflects this latest philosophy, said the form Big Bash outfit is building again after its mid-season slump.

"We've won the last three now and our team is back to what is a pretty strong side," Short said after the Hurricanes secured one of the last two finals' spots up for grabs against the Adelaide Strikers.

"We're still missing Riley [Meredith] obviously, but to have Jimmy [Faulkner] back in the bowling lineup helps.

"Hopefully we can carry on that momentum - we've really got nothing to lose now.

"We only just scraped in, so I guess we can now play with all the freedom to try and get to the final."

The Tasmanians are set to host Sydney Thunder on Thursday in the elimination final after Brisbane Heat lost in Melbourne on Monday.

Last year the Hurricanes were the dominant lineup of the Big Bash until showing early warning signs of a fadeout, dropping three of the last five regular season games.

The minor premiers then faltered again in the home semi-final to the Melbourne Stars, ending its campaign and any lingering title hopes.

That defeat was the sixth occasion a top-of-the-ladder team had failed to reach the season decider in eight years.

It orchestrated a change in the finals format to include a top five qualification, with first having a first final bye all the while the top three sides are given the double chance.

The irony is that a fourth-placed Hurricanes - following a 10-run win on Sunday - would have had to win twice in past knockout semi-finals to take the title, but now have to win four finals a year on.

Short believed teammates learned from crunch games like when the bowlers went wicketless and conceded 69 runs in eight overs to give up a six-wicket Stars' final win.

ELSEWHERE IN SPORT

"I think last year we bowled way too short and they got away from us," Short said.

"This year we have been a bit fuller, but [on Sunday] we didn't take our chances earlier. We were happy to get there in the end.

"Obviously, batting first and being able to get 217 put the pressure back on them, but we knew they were going to come out anyway."

Short scored 72 in 55 balls, but he was entirely overshadowed by opening partner Matthew Wade beyond their stand of 203 in 18.2 overs.

Wade piled on the second best Big Bash innings ever of 130 not out from 61 balls.

"Wadey was going well and I felt like I was couldn't hit one off the square to start with," Short said. "But it was good to be out there, stick to my guns, reap the rewards a little bit later in the innings and battle with Wadey.

"I'll remember watching him get his first hundred because it was pretty special."

Surprisingly Wade raised his bat for the century in only 48 deliveries, moments after Short brought up his half-century in one less ball.

Victory was not assured when the Strikers hosts, who was the Canes' last loss in Launceston seven days earlier, managed 8-207 and had needed 48 off the last four overs with seven wickets left.

"It was getting a bit tight at the end," Short said.

"We tried to lose it at the start too. But our boys pulled through and it's exciting to be involved in the finals now."

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