In the opening game of the BBL 2025-26, Sydney Thunder (THU) are set to face Sydney Sixers (SIX). The runner-up of the last season Thunder didn’t have a good start as they lost their first match against the Hobart Hurricanes by 4 wickets. However, Cameron Bancroft performed well and scored 61 runs in 44 balls, while Shadab Khan picked up two wickets in the bowling department. They will look to open their winning account in this match.
On the other hand, the Sydney Sixers also haven’t had a good start to the season, losing two matches in a row. In their previous game, they went down by three wickets against the Adelaide Strikers. Josh Philippe played a crucial knock, scoring 46 runs off 28 balls, while Jack Edwards contributed with 32 runs and also picked up two wickets.
Match Info & Preview
| Match | Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers, Match 7, BBL 2025-26 |
|---|---|
| Date and Time (IST) | Saturday, December 20; 1:45 PM |
| Venue | Sydney Showground Stadium |
| Broadcast & Live Streaming | JioStar Network Channels, JioHotstar (App & Website) |
Sydney Thunder will be eager to bounce back after their opening defeat, especially with positive contributions from Cameron Bancroft and Shadab Khan in their first game. Sydney Sixers, meanwhile, are under pressure after two consecutive losses and will be looking for a complete team performance, with Josh Philippe and Jack Edwards being the positives from their last outing.
Head-to-Head Record
| Matches Played | THU Won | SIX Won | Tied / NR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 28 | 8 | 17 | 3 |
Probable Playing XI
Here is the expected playing XI for todays clash.
Sydney Thunder Playing XI
- Matthew Gilkes
- Sam Konstas
- Cameron Bancroft
- Sam Billings
- Oliver Davies
- Shadab Khan
- Daniel Sams
- Chris Green
- Nathan McAndrew
- Tanveer Sangha
- Reece Topley
Sydney Sixers Playing XI
- Babar Azam
- Daniel Hughes
- Josh Philippe
- Moises Henriques
- Jordan Silk
- Jack Edwards
- Joel Davies
- Ben Dwarshuis
- Hayden Kerr
- Mitchell Perry
- Jafer Chouhan
Pitch & Weather Report
Here are pitch and weather report for todays match
In the 35 matches played at the Sydney Showground Stadium, 18 have been won by teams batting first, while 16 have been won by chasing sides, making the contest evenly balanced. Captains are expected to closely assess the surface before deciding at the toss. Historically, spinners have enjoyed bowling at this venue, and both teams are likely to field spin-heavy attacks.
The weather is expected to remain clear with a temperature of around 32.2°C and humidity at 48%.
Dream11 Fantasy Player Picks
Here are todays match fantasy picks
| Player | Team | Role |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Billings | THU | Wicketkeeper |
| Josh Philippe | SIX | Wicketkeeper |
| Matthew Gilkes | THU | Wicketkeeper |
| Babar Azam | SIX | Batter |
| Cameron Bancroft | THU | Batter |
| Sam Konstas | THU | Batter |
| Moises Henriques | SIX | All-Rounder |
| Jack Edwards | SIX | All-Rounder |
| Daniel Sams | THU | All-Rounder |
| Ben Dwarshuis | SIX | Bowler |
| Nathan McAndrew | THU | Bowler |
Injury Updates
There are no injury updates available yet for this match. If any official updates are announced closer to the game, they will be added here accordingly.
Match Prediction
Based on the current form shown in recent matches, Sydney Thunder appear slightly better placed heading into this contest. With key contributions already coming from Cameron Bancroft, Shadab Khan, and Daniel Sams, Thunder may have a small edge, while Sydney Sixers will need a collective performance to turn their fortunes around.
Team Form – Last 5 Matches
| Team | Form |
|---|---|
| Sydney Thunder | L L W W NR |
| Sydney Sixers | L L L L NR |
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Disclaimer
Cricket match predictions are for informational and entertainment purposes only. We do not promote or support any form of betting or gambling.
This article is intended solely for free fantasy contests and complies with the Indian Government’s Gaming Regulation Bill, 2025. All opinions and predictions are based on publicly available data, team news, and expert analysis; actual match outcomes may differ.
