South African Du Preez is Lightning’s highest scorer in the KSL 2019 with 246 runs, having previously notched unbeaten 70 and 38s, before clattering 48 in 25 balls at the Haslegrave Ground, Loughborough.

She finished the job with a four down the ground with nine balls to spare, after Chamari Atapattu had brilliantly notched 45 from 35 balls.

Stars had set what had seen a competitive 147, thanks to Nat Sciver’s first half century of KSL 2019 and Sarah Taylor’s second fifty in a row.

But the hosts chased to set up a date with either Southern Vipers or Yorkshire Diamonds at Hove – with unbeaten Western Storm waiting in the final.

Loughborough’s response had started in catastrophic style as Amy Jones was run out by Dane van Niekerk, before Marizanne Kapp bowled a maiden.

Having been involved in the Jones run out, Matthews seemed to feel some responsibility to score quickly, as she helped thunder 24 runs off the third and fourth overs. But the West Indian was stumped off Mady Villiers in the fifth.

Georgia Elwiss and Atapattu settled things down and added 49 in exactly six overs for the third wicket before the former was stumped.

Sri Lankan Atapattu used her power to take Lightning up to, along and then above the required rate – with six boundaries and a straight six, before she was bowled by Laura Marsh.

Du Preez, who had put on 41 with Atapattu, clubbed a quartet of balls over the ropes, and despite seeing Georgia Adams run out, saw her side to a comfortable five-wicket win.

Earlier, The Stars only managed 29 runs in the Powerplay, after winning the toss, and had already lost both openers Lizelle Lee and Dane van Niekerk within the first 32 balls

Lee was lbw to Kathryn Bryce to the first ball of the game before South African teammate van Niekerk was bowled by Jenny Gunn.

But Sciver and Taylor ticked the score along and slowly started to accelerate – the former playing conventionally, while keeper Taylor utilised her supple wrists to claim five flicked boundaries behind the bat.

Skipper Sciver was the first to fifty, off 31 balls, having tickled Atapattu for a boundary before arriving at the milestone with a hoicked single into the leg side.

It was the first time she had scored a KSL half-century since the semi-final against Western Storm last year.

Sciver departed when she offered a catch to extra cover for 53, having put on 87 with Taylor – the third time the duo had added more than 48 together in this season’s competition.

Taylor arrived at the 50 landmark in 45 balls with back-to-back boundaries off Bryce, but the Scotland captain had the last laugh next ball with a slower ball yorker.

Surrey lost Marizanne Kapp, Bryony Smith and Mady Villiers in the last seven balls but managed to reach 147 for seven, despite Gunn’s exceptional two for 19.

Loughborough Lightning batsman Mignon Du Preez:

“We are super excited to go to Finals Day. It was something we really wanted to do and to get there with two games to spare is super special.

“The key thing will be to keep the momentum into Finals Day, we want to keep the winning ways going.

“Big hitting isn’t something I had been known for. In my ODI career I have only hit three sixes in over 100 games so to actually hit them frequently in games shows I have been working on that area of my game.

“I also usually struggle with staying to the finish, I usually get in and then get out, so to get those not outs and score runs consistently was one of my big goals.

“I have been really consistent in the KSL and hopefully I can continue that to Finals Day.

“Atapattu smashed it and gave the innings momentum. I was really rooting for her to get her first fifty for us.

“It has been a complete performance through the tournament for us. The bowlers set it up which allows the batters to do their job. People have put up their hand every time.”

Surrey Stars captain Nat Sciver:

“It is only our own fault that we aren’t going to Finals Day. We haven’t put in the performances that we can and it has been disappointing not to be able to show everyone.

“If one of Sarah or I could have stayed in until the end then we would have got 20 or 30 more runs.

“That is probably why we didn’t get there as a team. I got out and then Sarah got out in the next couple of overs. When you loose two set batters it is hard for those coming in.

“We couldn’t stop them once they got going. It felt like it was hard for new batters to get in so they didn’t allow anyone else to bat.

“I’m really pleased for Mady Villiers (3-0-6-1) as she has had a few difficult games where she was hit around in the Powerplay. She did really well today and I’m happy she stood up today in the first six overs.

“Just because we can’t qualify doesn’t mean we can through away games – we need to play with pride and finish at home on Sunday by putting on a good show.”