BBL 2025/26 | Match 37: Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder | Preview and Predictions

The Sydney Sixers will take on the Sydney Thunder in Match 37 of the 2025/26 KFC Big Bash League season at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 16, 2026. 

After the Brisbane Heat stunned the Hobart Hurricanes in Match 35, the Sixers need to win their remaining fixtures to qualify for the play-offs. The Thunder, on the other hand, have already spoiled the Melbourne Renegades’ play-off aspirations and will look to inflict the same on their neighbours. 

Here, we present our preview and predictions for Match 37 of BBL|15.

BBL|15 Match 37: Sixers vs Thunder | 13:45 IST, January 16, 2026

Looking at how things are shaping up, that one point shared with the Hobart Hurricanes doesn’t look bad, after all. With teams in and around them struggling to put together a decent run of performances, the Sydney Sixers now have their fate in their own hands.

Irrespective of what happens in this match, the winner of Match 40 between the Sixers and the Heat will play in the play-offs. However, two wins can help the Sixers leapfrog the Hurricanes and potentially earn an unlikely top-two finish, which adds an extra dimension to this game. 

In the batting department, Josh Philippe has been their lone ranger with 231 runs in seven outings at a strike rate of 151. Babar Azam sits in second with 154 runs, but the former Pakistani skipper has struggled throughout the season, especially in the Powerplay, where he’s striking at a mere 104.35. That said, the addition of Steven Smith at the top and Sam Curran in the middle should significantly boost their batting resources for the rest of the tournament. 

In the bowling department, Jack Edwards has been phenomenal in both the Powerplay and the death overs. He has picked up 14 wickets at an economy rate of under 8, while Ben Dwarshius (11 wickets) and Joel Davies (10 wickets) are the other two bowlers who have been among the wickets. Besides, with the likes of Sean Abbott and Sam Curran joining the attack in recent weeks, this bowling unit suddenly looks more potent and capable of troubling any batting line-up when on song. 

As far as their opponents are concerned, despite enduring a forgettable BBL|15 campaign, the Thunder are coming into this game on the back of a thrilling four-wicket victory over the Melbourne Renegades, with the rain-affected encounter in Sydney marking their second win of the season. With nothing on the line, their players will look to express themselves and end the season on a high by inflicting another sucker punch on one of the play-off-chasing teams. 

With their leader, top run-getter, and in-form batter, David Warner, ruled out with a knee injury, there is going to be extra pressure on a batting unit that just hasn’t lived up to its potential this time around. Cameron Bancroft has simply not looked the same player who started the season, while the rest of the batting unit has been fairly inconsistent. 

Just like their batters, the Thunder bowlers haven’t had much say in this edition of the BBL. Daniel Sams is the only Thunder bowler to cross the ten-wicket mark with 12 scalps in nine games. Fresh faces introduced midway through the season, like Wes Agar, David Willey, and Ryan Hadley, have done a much better job than their predecessors, but it still isn’t enough to push them to a respectable finish. 

In terms of weather forecast and pitch report, while mostly clear, there is a 50% chance of light afternoon showers. The pitch here at the SCG offers a balanced wicket that favours both batters and bowlers. The average first-innings score in the last two matches here has hovered around 155–160. That said, it is expected to rain on Wednesday and Thursday, so expect the surface to be a bit damp and to hold up, which will favour the bowlers.

Looking ahead to this fixture, the Sixers have improved a lot in recent weeks. Moreover, with the likes of Steven Smith and Sam Curran joining the fray, they’ll be a much stronger outfit than the team that beat the Sydney Thunder earlier this season.

Considering their recent form and the availability — or unavailability — of certain key personnel, we’re backing the Sixers to win this all-Sydney affair.

Fantasy XI: Steven Smith (c), Matthew Gilkes, Josh Philippe, Sam Billings, Sam Curran, Daniel Sams (vc), Jack Edwards, Joel Davis, Wes Agar, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis

Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Winners Prediction: Sydney Sixers