Table of Contents
The Sydney Thunder Vs Sydney Sixers Match Scorecard captures an unforgettable Sydney derby in the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025–26 season. Sydney Sixers defeated Sydney Thunder by five wickets on January 16, 2026, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), completing a successful chase of 190 runs.
Sydney Thunder batted first and scored 189/6 in 20 overs, with David Warner producing a magnificent unbeaten 110 from 65 balls. Sydney Sixers responded with 191/5 in 17.2 overs, thanks to an extraordinary century from Steven Smith, who scored 100 from just 42 deliveries.
Babar Azam contributed 47 runs, providing important support during the opening partnership. Smith’s explosive batting ultimately proved decisive, and he received the Player of the Match award. The contest was memorable because both Warner and Smith scored centuries in the same T20 match.
Match Summary
The Sydney derby brought together two local rivals competing in Australia’s premier domestic T20 tournament. Sydney Sixers won the toss and elected to field, giving Thunder the opportunity to bat first.
Warner anchored Thunder’s innings with an unbeaten century, while Nic Maddinson contributed 26 runs from 16 balls. Thunder reached 189/6, setting a challenging target for the Sixers.
However, Smith and Babar gave the Sixers an exceptional start. Their opening partnership laid the foundation for the chase, and Smith accelerated dramatically in the middle overs. The Sixers reached the target with 16 balls remaining.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Big Bash League 2025–26 |
| Match number | 37th Match |
| Teams | Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers |
| Date | January 16, 2026 |
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
| Toss | Sydney Sixers elected to field |
| Sydney Thunder | 189/6 in 20 overs |
| Sydney Sixers | 191/5 in 17.2 overs |
| Result | Sydney Sixers won by 5 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Steven Smith |
Sydney Thunder Batting Scorecard
Sydney Thunder finished their innings on 189/6 in 20 overs. David Warner delivered the outstanding performance, remaining unbeaten on 110 from 65 balls. His innings featured 11 fours and four sixes, combining controlled stroke play with aggressive boundary hitting.
Warner received useful support from Nic Maddinson, who scored 26 from 16 deliveries. Matthew Gilkes added 12, while Sam Billings contributed 14 runs. These contributions helped Thunder maintain momentum and reach a competitive total.
Sydney Thunder Batting Table
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Matthew Gilkes | 12 | 12 | 2 | 0 |
| David Warner | 110* | 65 | 11 | 4 |
| Sam Konstas | 6 | 11 | 0 | 0 |
| Sam Billings | 14 | 13 | 1 | 0 |
| Nic Maddinson | 26 | 16 | 2 | 2 |
| Chris Green | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 |
| Daniel Sams | 10 | 4 | 0 | 1 |
| Total | 189/6 | 20 overs |
Extras: 11 runs.
David Warner’s Outstanding Century
Warner’s unbeaten 110 was the highlight of the Thunder innings. He scored at a strike rate of approximately 169, hitting 11 fours and four sixes. His ability to combine placement with power hitting ensured that Thunder maintained a strong scoring rate.
Warner continued batting through the innings and helped his team approach the 190-run mark. His century would have been a match-winning performance in many T20 contests, but the Sixers produced an even more explosive response.
Nic Maddinson Adds Quick Runs
Maddinson’s 26 from 16 balls provided valuable middle-order acceleration. His two fours and two sixes helped Thunder maintain momentum alongside Warner.
Although Thunder reached 189/6, the total left the bowling attack with the difficult task of defending against a Sixers lineup featuring several aggressive batters.
Sydney Sixers Bowling Performance
Sydney Sixers’ bowlers faced an aggressive Thunder batting lineup and conceded 189 runs. Sam Curran was the leading wicket-taker, claiming three wickets for 28 runs in four overs.
Ben Manenti also contributed with an economical spell, taking one wicket for 17 runs in three overs. These breakthroughs prevented Thunder from finishing with an even larger total.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mitchell Starc | — | — | — |
| Sam Curran | 4 | 28 | 3 |
| Ben Manenti | 3 | 17 | 1 |
| Jack Edwards | — | — | — |
| Other Sixers bowlers | — | — | — |
The complete bowling figures for every bowler should be checked against the full match scorecard; the confirmed standout figures are included above.
Curran’s three wickets were particularly important because they stopped Thunder from converting their strong batting performance into a total beyond 190. Nevertheless, Warner’s unbeaten century ensured that the Sixers still faced a demanding chase.
Sydney Sixers Batting Scorecard
Sydney Sixers needed 190 runs to win and completed the chase in 17.2 overs, reaching 191/5. Steven Smith led the innings with a breathtaking century, scoring 100 from 42 balls, including five fours and nine sixes.
Babar Azam played a supporting role with 47 runs from 39 deliveries. Their opening partnership produced 141 runs and gave the Sixers a commanding position in the chase.
Although the team lost wickets after the opening stand, the foundation was strong enough for the middle order to finish the match successfully.
Sydney Sixers Batting Table
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Babar Azam | 47 | 39 | 5 | 2 |
| Steven Smith | 100 | 42 | 5 | 9 |
| Josh Philippe | 1 | 2 | 0 | 0 |
| Moises Henriques | 6 | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Sam Curran | 1 | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Lachlan Shaw | 13* | 7 | 1 | 1 |
| Jack Edwards | 17* | 8 | 0 | 2 |
| Total | 191/5 | 17.2 overs |
Extras: 6 runs.
Steven Smith’s Match-Winning Century
Smith’s 100 from 42 balls was the defining performance of the match. His nine sixes demonstrated exceptional power, while his five fours helped him maintain an extraordinary scoring rate.
He reached his half-century in only 23 balls and continued attacking the Thunder bowlers throughout the innings. His century came from 41 balls, making it one of the most memorable performances of the BBL season.
Smith’s innings was especially impressive because Warner had already scored a century earlier in the same match. Smith’s response ensured that Warner’s outstanding performance did not result in a Thunder victory.
Babar Azam Provides a Strong Foundation
Babar’s 47 from 39 balls gave Smith the support needed to attack. He struck five fours and two sixes, helping the Sixers establish a substantial opening partnership.
The pair added 141 runs for the first wicket, putting the chase firmly in the Sixers’ control. Babar’s dismissal ended the partnership, but the remaining batters required relatively few runs to complete the victory.
Sydney Thunder Bowling Performance
Sydney Thunder’s bowlers struggled to contain the Sixers’ opening partnership. Steven Smith’s aggressive approach made it difficult to establish control, while Babar Azam kept the scoreboard moving at the other end.
Nathan McAndrew took two wickets for 34 runs in two overs, and Aidan O’Connor claimed one wicket for 17 runs. Chris Green and Tanveer Sangha also took wickets, but the total proved insufficient to prevent the Sixers from winning.
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Chris Green | 4 | 18 | 1 |
| Ryan Hadley | 2.2 | 48 | 0 |
| Wes Agar | 2 | 25 | 0 |
| Nathan McAndrew | 2 | 34 | 2 |
| Aidan O’Connor | 2 | 17 | 1 |
| Tanveer Sangha | 4 | 33 | 1 |
| Nic Maddinson | 1 | 15 | 0 |
Ryan Hadley endured an especially difficult spell, conceding 48 runs in 2.2 overs. Smith’s aggressive batting during the Power Surge created a decisive scoring burst and made the target increasingly difficult to defend.
Key Turning Points of the Match
Warner’s Unbeaten 110
Warner’s century gave Thunder a strong total and kept the team competitive throughout the first innings. His ability to bat through 20 overs was a major positive for Thunder.
The 141-Run Opening Partnership
Smith and Babar’s partnership transformed the chase. By adding 141 runs for the first wicket, they reduced the pressure on the middle order and placed the Sixers in a commanding position.
Smith’s Explosive Power Surge
Smith attacked Ryan Hadley during a crucial over, hitting four consecutive sixes before adding a boundary. This extraordinary passage of play dramatically accelerated the chase.
The Sixers Finish with 16 Balls Remaining
Despite losing five wickets, the Sixers completed the chase in 17.2 overs. Lachlan Shaw and Jack Edwards helped finish the job, securing a five-wicket victory.
Key Match Statistics
| Statistic | Details |
|---|---|
| Sydney Thunder total | 189/6 |
| Sydney Sixers total | 191/5 |
| Highest individual score | David Warner, 110* |
| Match-winning century | Steven Smith, 100 |
| Babar Azam’s contribution | 47 runs |
| Best Sixers bowling figures | Sam Curran, 3/28 |
| Sixers’ opening partnership | 141 runs |
| Result | Sydney Sixers won by 5 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Steven Smith |
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Who won the Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers match?
Sydney Sixers won the Big Bash League 2025–26 match by five wickets, chasing 190 runs in 17.2 overs.
2. What was Sydney Thunder’s final score?
Sydney Thunder scored 189/6 in 20 overs, with David Warner remaining unbeaten on 110 runs.
3. What was Sydney Sixers’ final score?
Sydney Sixers scored 191/5 in 17.2 overs to complete the chase.
4. Who was the Player of the Match?
Steven Smith received the Player of the Match award after scoring 100 runs from 42 balls.
5. Did David Warner and Steven Smith both score centuries?
Yes. David Warner scored an unbeaten 110 for Sydney Thunder, while Steven Smith scored 100 for Sydney Sixers. It was a remarkable match featuring centuries from both players.
Conclusion
The Sydney Thunder Vs Sydney Sixers Match Scorecard records one of the most memorable Sydney derbies of the Big Bash League 2025–26 season. Thunder posted 189/6 through David Warner’s unbeaten 110, but the Sixers responded with 191/5 in just 17.2 overs.
Steven Smith’s 100 from 42 balls, supported by Babar Azam’s 47, proved decisive. Their 141-run opening partnership gave the Sixers the platform to complete a five-wicket victory with 16 balls remaining.
The match demonstrated the impact of aggressive batting, partnerships and timely acceleration in T20 cricket. Warner’s century was outstanding, but Smith’s remarkable innings ultimately secured the derby victory for Sydney Sixers.