Sydney Thunder will face Brisbane Heat in Match No. 9 of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 at Manuka Oval, Canberra, on Monday, December 22. The contest is crucial for Sydney Thunder as they look for their first win of the season, while Brisbane Heat aim to build on their recent momentum.
Match Details
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Match: Sydney Thunder vs Brisbane Heat, Match 9, BBL 2025-26
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Date & Time: Monday, December 22, 2025 – 1:45 PM IST
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Venue: Manuka Oval, Canberra
Team Overview
Sydney Thunder have endured a rough start to their BBL 2025-26 campaign, sitting at the bottom of the points table after losing both of their opening matches. Despite having experienced names like David Warner, Shadab Khan and Sam Billings in their line-up, the Thunder have struggled to find rhythm with both bat and ball. Heading into this fixture, the focus will be on stabilising their top order and delivering more disciplined bowling performances, especially in the death overs.
Brisbane Heat, meanwhile, are placed sixth with one win from two matches. Their confidence received a significant boost after a convincing victory over the Perth Scorchers. With a balanced squad featuring in-form batters and a varied bowling attack, the Heat will look to maintain consistency and push towards the top half of the table. Leadership from Nathan McSweeney and contributions from senior players will be key once again.
Head-to-Head Record
The rivalry between these two sides has largely favoured Brisbane Heat. Out of 22 T20 meetings, Heat have won 14 matches, while Sydney Thunder have managed seven victories, with one match ending without a result. The most recent encounter, played in January 2025, also went Brisbane Heat’s way, giving them a psychological edge.
Pitch Report – Manuka Oval, Canberra
Manuka Oval is traditionally known as a batting-friendly surface, offering good bounce and value for shots. This will be the first BBL match at the venue this season. In 22 T20s played here, teams batting first have won 10 games, suggesting that setting a competitive total can be effective. However, bowlers who stick to tight lines and vary their pace can still extract assistance, especially as the match progresses.
Probable Playing XIs
Sydney Thunder: Sam Konstas, David Warner (c), Matthew Gilkes, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (wk), Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Tanveer Sangha, Reece Topley
Brisbane Heat: Colin Munro, Jack Wildermuth, Nathan McSweeney (c), Matt Renshaw, Max Bryant, Hugh Weibgen, Jimmy Peirson (wk), Xavier Bartlett, Shaheen Afridi, Liam Haskett, Matthew Kuhnemann
Key Players to Watch
Matt Renshaw has been outstanding for Brisbane Heat, scoring 120 runs in two matches, including a century. His composure at the top makes him a major threat. For Sydney Thunder, David Warner’s role as captain and opener will be vital if the team is to post or chase a strong total. With the ball, Jack Wildermuth’s consistency in the middle overs could prove decisive.
Live Streaming and Broadcast
The match will be broadcast live in Australia on Fox Sports and Kayo Sports.
Fans in India can watch the game on JioStar Network channels and JioHotstar app and website.
In Pakistan, the match is expected to be available on Sony Sports Network and Sony Liv app.
Match Prediction
Considering the venue conditions and recent trends, the team batting first is likely to have an advantage. Brisbane Heat enter the match with better form and balance, but if Sydney Thunder click collectively, a turnaround could be on the cards. However, on current momentum, the side batting first is predicted to win the match.
