Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder Prediction & Match Preview – BBL 37th Match
Match summary
Sydney Sixers face Sydney Thunder at the SCG on 16 January 2026 in a BBL derby with playoff hopes at stake. Form, key players, pitch and weather inside.
Match details
| Match | Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder, 37th Match |
|---|---|
| Series | Big Bash League 2025-26 |
| Date | 16 Jan 2026 |
| Start time | 8:15 am GMT / 7:15 pm local |
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
| Status | Played |
| Our pick | Sydney Sixers |
| Toss pick | Sydney Sixers |
Matches in this series
Match preview
Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder meet at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday 16 January for the 37th match of the 2025-26 Big Bash League. For the Sixers it is a vital game: only two fixtures remain, and Brisbane Heat, Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades are all still chasing a playoff place. Victory would lift them to 11 points and effectively remove the Strikers and Renegades, who can reach only 10.
Their last match, against Hobart Hurricanes, was washed out, but Steve Smith made a fluent 19 off 16 after returning from the Ashes, while Babar Azam struggled for tempo with 9 off 14. The SCG has been tough for them this season: they lost both games there in which they batted first, averaging around 150. Josh Philippe leads the batters with 153 runs and Babar has 148, and Jack Edwards has taken 14 wickets at under eight an over, backed by Ben Dwarshuis with 11 and Joel Davies with 10.
The Thunder arrive after a four-wicket win over Melbourne Renegades in another rain-affected game. Chasing 140 from 16 overs, they were 95 for 6 before Chris Green hit an unbeaten 34 off 13 and Nic Maddinson added 30 not out. Matthew Gilkes has 220 runs and Daniel Sams 12 wickets, so the Thunder are keen to play spoiler in this derby.
The SCG tends to offer a fair contest. Fresh grass and coastal conditions can give seamers some swing and movement early, after which the surface becomes more batting-friendly and lets stroke-makers score freely once set. Spinners can find help as the pitch dries and rough patches develop, so the ground rewards tactical thinking from both sides.
Around 7:15 pm local time it should be warm and pleasant at 22–24 °C with partly cloudy skies. There is a slight chance of light showers, so a short interruption is possible, though conditions should mostly suit cricket.
Expected scores
| Innings | Predicted | Actual |
|---|---|---|
| First innings | 160–175 | – |
| Second innings | 155–170 | – |
Sydney Sixers
The Sixers have Sam Curran and Steve Smith available and a playoff push to protect, while the Thunder have little left to play for beyond spoiling.
Toss pick: Sydney Sixers
FAQ
Why is this Sydney derby important?
The Sixers have two matches left and the playoff race is tight. A win would move them to 11 points and effectively end the top-four chances of Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Renegades.
Who are the leading performers for each side this season?
For the Sixers, Josh Philippe has 153 runs and Jack Edwards 14 wickets. For the Thunder, Matthew Gilkes has 220 runs and Daniel Sams leads the bowlers with 12 wickets.
What was the Sixers’ most recent result?
Their game against Hobart Hurricanes ended as a no result because of rain, with the Sixers on 32 without loss after five overs.
Probable XIs
Expected line-ups from our preview. c = captain, wk = wicketkeeper.
Line-ups not available yet.
Head-to-head
Earlier meetings of Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder that we covered.