BBL 2025/26 | Match 7: Sydney Thunder vs Sydney Sixers | Preview and Predictions

The Sixers will be hoping to avoid a hat-trick of losses, while the Thunder will expect a better outing from their bowlers as the two local rivals lock horns at the Sydney Showground Stadium in Match 7 of BBL|15.

Here, we present our preview and predictions for the game.

BBL|15 Match 7: Thunder vs Sixers | 13:45 IST, December 20, 2025

Flamboyant opener Sam Konstas hasn’t looked in great shape for quite a while now. Ever since making his international debut, his numbers have been quite disappointing — even in T20s. That said, his opening partner in the Thunder’s line-up, Matthew Gilkes, looks rather promising.

Gilkes got off to a great start in the last game, scoring 20 off 7, with his brief stay hinting at the kind of impact he could have on a game if he sticks around longer. That said, Cameron Bancroft still remains the linchpin at No. 3 for the Thunder.

Their batting goes very deep, with Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, and skipper Chris Green coming in the lower order at Nos. 6 through 8. Green may not be a big hitter, but the likes of Khan and Sams are reliable finishers, as evident from their exploits in the last game, where the Pakistan international scored 34 off 24 and Sams hit 23* off 11. 

In the Thunder’s bowling attack, Nathan McAndrew and Sams will lead the pace attack along with Reece Topley. However, the key wicket-taker for the Thunder will be the right-arm leg-break bowler Tanveer Sangha, who has consistently found wickets for the team in previous seasons. Shadab Khan has been a key player at the international level and was instrumental in pulling things back in the last game, getting both Ben McDermott and Rehan Ahmed.

As for their counterparts, the Sixers will be concerned with star batter Babar Azam’s form. Before the tournament began, in 13 T20Is in Australia, Azam had scored 286 runs, averaging around 24 at a strike rate of 115. However, the scores of 2(5) and 9(10) don’t paint a good picture for the former Pakistan captain. His opening partner, Daniel Hughes, hasn’t looked in good shape either. With both openers struggling to get going, the Sydney Sixers have a real challenge on their hands.

Josh Philippe and Moises Henriques will hold the key to a good total in the middle order, though the latter has also struggled to hit the middle of the bat thus far. Jack Edwards and Jordan Silk will play crucial roles lower down the order. They are reliable operators who can score quickly and help the Sixers finish on a high in the death overs. Edwards in particular looked impressive with the bat in the opening match, scoring an unbeaten 46 off 21 balls batting at No. 6. 

Edwards will also play a key role in the bowling attack, which will be led by the likes of Ben Dwarshuis and Hayden Kerr. Jafer Chohan, a 23-year-old right-arm leg-break bowler from England, is a new arrival and will be one to watch out for in the Sixers camp. 

Looking at the venue for some insight, the pitch here has traditionally offered plenty of help to bowlers. The average first-innings score in the last ten T20s played here is 147, so anything over 165 can prove to be a match-winning total. 

Looking at this match-up, the Sixers have some real batting issues to deal with, with most of their batters failing to find form. However, it doesn’t require a long time for batters to get back in form, especially in T20 cricket. Nevertheless, when compared with Thunder’s overall squad strength, the Sixers fall behind. 

As a result, with their record at this venue, in addition to their recent performances, we’re backing the Sydney Thunder to go into this match with an edge over the Sydney Sixers.

Fantasy XI: Matthew Gilkes, Cameron Bancroft, Josh Philippe, Moises Henriques, Shadab Khan (vc), Daniel Sams, Jack Edwards (c), Chris Green, Jafer Chohan, Tanveer Sangha, Ben Dwarshuis 

Venue: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sydney 
Winners Prediction: Sydney Thunder