Phoebe Litchfield, Sydney Thunder to help send retiring WBBL legend Alex Blackwell out on high note

Blackwell was named player-of-the-game in the Thunder's 18-run win over the Melbourne Stars at Canberra's Manuka Oval, a victory that keeps them in touch with the top four, although they're sweating on other results.

The Thunder need the Renegades to get beaten on Saturday and then they'll need to take care of the Melbourne side in their final game of the regular season on Sunday, but they also need the Sydney Sixers to suffer two losses this weekend as well.

With the side teetering on the brink of elimination, sending Blackwell out a winner could well end up being the Thunder's sole focus on Sunday.

"I'd decided before the match that I was going to retire. It's got to come to an end at some point," Blackwell, the WBBL's seventh-highest run-scorer of all-time, said.

Blackwell's long and presitigous career has countless highlights, including leading the Thunder's title win in the inaugural WBBL in 2015-16, but she said one of her fondest memories will be of this summer, and Litchfield.

She's played a mentoring role to the 16-year-old up-and-comer, and they've spent plenty of time at the crease together this summer. Blackwell was at the other end when Litchfield made history earlier this summer, becoming the youngest player to notch a Big Bash League half-century.

They batted together again in Wednesday's win, Blackwell (65 from 47 balls) and Litchfield (17 from 14) added a crucial 37 for the fourth wicket as the Thunder posted 6-162, before restricting Melbourne to 5-144 in reply.

"There's been many highlights, but what's been really cool [this season] is watching the next generation of Thunder players grabbing their opportunities. It's been very special to be a part of that - I'm really satisfied," Blackwell said.

"I've been really happy with [the role of] mentoring out in the middle. I had an opportunity against the Stars to bat with... Phoebe Litchfield and Saskia Horley.

"It was good to talk to them about what the good options were to go to - and to help clarify in their minds what was on, and where to back themselves."

Litchfield has relished the opportunity to learn from Blackwell, who's played more than 100 games for Australia, as well, more than once saying it's been an absolute dream to bat with a player she looked up to for a long time.

"She's been great," Litchfield said.

"I've said in a few interviews she's just a calm, collected person and she's just the best partner to have out there (batting), she doesn't get worried and if you're down a few she'll just whack a four or a six, you don't have much to worry about when you're batting with her."

Litchfield and Blackwell's Thunder side face the Renegades from 10.40am at St Kilda's CitiPower Centre on Sunday, but they'll be closely watching the Melbourne side's encounter with the Stars the day before.