BBL 2025/26 | Match 25: Adelaide Strikers vs Sydney Thunder | Preview and Predictions

The Adelaide Strikers will take on the Sydney Thunder in Match 25 of the 2025/26 KFC Big Bash League season at Adelaide Oval on January 6, 2026. 

The Strikers have performed well in patches but find themselves in sixth position with four points from five games. The Thunder, on the other hand, are having a season to forget, with five losses in six outings rooting them to the foot of the table with two points. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for Match 25 between the Strikers and the Thunder. 

BBL|15 Match 25: Strikers vs Thunder | 13:45 IST, January 6, 2026

It has been a topsy-turvy campaign for the Adelaide Strikers, with just two wins in five games placing them sixth in the overall standings. However, given how tight the points table is, a couple of positive results in their next set of games will lift them up the table fairly quickly.

Matthew Short, leading from the front, has been the backbone of their batting line-up. His five innings have yielded 184 runs at an average of 37, with a strike rate hovering around 132. However, he has had very little support at the other end.

Chris Lynn, apart from his one innings of 79, has struggled to provide stability at the top. Liam Scott, with his 122 runs from the middle order, has been the only other contributor in what has been a rather disappointing showing from the Strikers batters.

Their bowling attack as a whole has fared much better, with everybody chipping in with meaningful contributions. Lloyd Pope, with eight wickets, has been the pick of the bowlers, with English pacers Jamie Overton and Luke Wood providing ample support. That said, the inclusion of spinner Tabraiz Shamsi has significantly bolstered the attack, as he impressed in his first outing against the Perth Scorchers with figures of 3/30.

As far as their opponents are concerned, their current campaign is one the Sydney Thunder would already like to forget. Only one win and five defeats in their six games have left them sitting last on the table with an egregious net run rate of -1.429. Although knockout stages look unlikely, they need to use these remaining games to at least fine-tune key positions for next season.

Their batting unit has started to find some rhythm, with key individuals getting back among the runs. Matthew Gilkes has been their most consistent performer with the bat, accumulating 165 runs at a strike rate of 180. Both Sam Billings and Sam Konstas have also gotten themselves back among the runs. However, it was veteran David Warner who exploded in the last match with a blistering 130 off 65 balls, albeit in a losing cause as the rest of the batters failed to capitalise on a flat wicket.

In the bowling department, all-rounders Daniel Sams and Shadab Khan lead the charge with ten and seven wickets, respectively. However, the lack of support from the rest of the attack has been the catalyst to their downfall.

In terms of the weather forecast and pitch report, the weather will be clear and pleasant. The pitch remains hard and true throughout the game, and it is evident from the fact that both BBL|15 matches at the Adelaide Oval have been won by the side chasing, so it’s likely the team winning the toss will look to bowl first.

Looking ahead to this fixture, the Strikers have been slightly superior and have delivered some encouraging performances, but the Thunder have failed to build any rhythm and are close to elimination from the tournament. Given their recent results and the advantage of playing at home, we are backing the Strikers to win this match.

Fantasy XI: Matthew Short (c), David Warner, Chris Lynn, Matthew Gilkes (vc), Liam Scott, Jamie Overton, Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams,  Lloyd Pope, Tabraiz Shamsi, Tom Andrews 

Venue: Adelaide Oval, Adelaide 
Winners Prediction: Adelaide Strikers