Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder Women Prediction & Preview – WBBL 2025, 31st Match

Women's Big Bash League North Sydney Oval

The Sydney derby comes to North Sydney Oval as the Sixers and Thunder try to move up the Women’s Big Bash League 2025 table. The Sixers have played six games, winning three, losing two and having one washed out, which leaves them fifth with 7 points and a net run rate of –0.533. After a 10-wicket win over the Scorchers with 43 balls to spare, they lost to the Hurricanes, beat the Thunder by 24 runs, lost heavily to the Stars by 111 runs under DLS, then beat the Hurricanes by 11 runs before their latest match against the Heat was washed out.

Sophie Dunkley has scored 165 runs in six matches at an average of 41.25 and a strike rate of 124.06, while Ashleigh Gardner has taken 11 wickets in five games. The Thunder, seventh with 5 points and a net run rate of –0.519, have won two of their seven matches, lost four and had one no-result. They followed two wins, over the Scorchers by nine wickets and the Heat by 41 runs, with an eight-wicket loss to the Renegades, and their game against the Strikers was washed out.

Samantha Bates has been the Thunder’s most economical bowler, taking nine wickets at 5.63 an over, and Shabnim Ismail has 10 wickets in seven matches. If the top order delivers and the bowlers stay tight, the Thunder can make this a close contest.

Probable playing XI

Sydney Sixers Women

Ashleigh Gardner (c)
Maitlan Brown
Erin Burns
Mathilda Carmichael
Lauren Cheatle
Sophia Dunkley
Elsa Hunter
Alyssa Healy (wk)
Amelia Kerr
Lauren Kua
Emma Manix-Geeves

Sydney Thunder Women

Tahlia Wilson
Vivrant Sharma
Phoebe Litchfield (c)
Heather Knight
Anika Learoyd
Laura Harris
Em Arlott
Hasrat Gill
Taneale Peschel
Shabnim Ismail
Samantha Bates

Pitch report

North Sydney Oval is known for good batting conditions once players are set. Pacers can find a little movement with the new ball, but the surface soon becomes a true batting wicket with consistent bounce, and the short boundaries reward strokeplay. Spinners may get some help in the middle overs. Teams batting first tend to aim for 160–175, though chasing has worked too, especially in evening games when dew helps the ball come onto the bat.

Weather

Ideal cricket conditions are forecast for the afternoon, with temperatures of 24–26°C and mostly clear or partly sunny skies. Humidity should be moderate and the risk of rain very low, with a light to moderate breeze.

Expected scores

1st innings: 150–170
2nd innings: 145–165

Frequently asked questions

Where do the Sixers and Thunder stand before this match?

Before the game the Sixers were 5th with 7 points after six matches, and the Thunder were 7th with 5 points after seven.

Who are the key performers for each side?

Sophie Dunkley, Maitlan Brown and Ashleigh Gardner stand out for the Sixers, while Tahlia Wilson, Anika Learoyd, Samantha Bates and Shabnim Ismail lead the Thunder.

Who does our preview pick?

Our preview favours the Sydney Sixers Women, with the Thunder expected to win the toss.

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