The Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–26 rolls on with one of its most anticipated clashes as Sydney Thunder face Sydney Sixers in Match No. 7 of the season. The Sydney derby will be played at the Sydney Showground Stadium on Saturday, December 20, promising a high-intensity contest between two fierce rivals.
Match Details (Quick Look)
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Match: Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers, Match 7, BBL 2025–26
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Date & Time: Saturday, December 20, 1:45 PM IST
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Venue: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney
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Tournament: Big Bash League 2025–26
Team Overviews
Sydney Thunder enter this contest under pressure after suffering a defeat in their tournament opener against the Hobart Hurricanes. The defending champions chased down Thunder’s total comfortably, exposing some cracks in Thunder’s batting depth. Historically, Thunder have struggled against the Sixers, but a derby clash often brings unpredictability. With experienced campaigners and a strong spin unit, Thunder will be desperate to open their account and set the tone for the rest of the season.
Sydney Sixers, meanwhile, have had a frustrating start to the campaign. They have lost both of their matches so far and currently sit seventh on the points table with a negative net run-rate of -0.616. Despite taking games deep into the final over, their batting has failed to click at crucial moments. The Sixers know that another defeat could put them under serious pressure early in the season, making this match extremely important.
Head-to-Head Record
The Sydney Sixers clearly dominate the rivalry. Out of 28 T20 meetings between the two sides, the Sixers have won 17 matches, while the Thunder have managed just eight victories, with three games ending in ties or no results. The most recent encounter was played on January 24, 2025, further adding context to the long-standing rivalry.
Pitch Report
The Sydney Showground Stadium has offered balanced conditions over the years. Out of 35 matches at this venue, teams batting first have won 18 times, while chasing sides have claimed 16 victories. The pitch traditionally assists spinners, especially as the game progresses. Captains are expected to carefully assess the surface before deciding at the toss, with spin-heavy attacks likely to play a key role.
Key Players to Watch
For the Sydney Sixers, Babar Azam remains the standout batter. His ability to anchor the innings and score under pressure makes him central to Sixers’ hopes of revival. On the other hand, Sydney Thunder captain Chris Green could be the game-changer with the ball. His record at the Showground Stadium is impressive, with 24 wickets in 27 BBL innings at an economy rate of under seven.
Probable Playing XIs
Sydney Thunder:
Matthew Gilkes, Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (wicketkeeper), Oliver Davies, Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green (captain), Nathan McAndrew, Tanveer Sangha, Reece Topley
Sydney Sixers:
Babar Azam, Daniel Hughes, Josh Philippe (wicketkeeper), Moises Henriques (captain), Jordan Silk, Jack Edwards, Joel Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Hayden Kerr, Mitchell Perry, Jafer Chouhan
Live Streaming and Broadcast
The match will be broadcast live in India on the JioStar Network channels, while digital streaming will be available on the JioHotstar app and website. In Australia, fans can watch the game live on Fox Cricket and stream it via Kayo Sports. Other regions will have access through their respective official BBL broadcast partners.
Probable Scenarios and Match Prediction
If the pitch slows down as expected, teams batting first could have a slight advantage, especially with quality spinners controlling the middle overs. A total around the par score could prove difficult to chase under lights.
Prediction: The team batting first is likely to win the match, provided they post a competitive total and exploit the spin-friendly conditions effectively.