Table of Contents
The Sydney Sixers Vs Sydney Thunder Match Scorecard from the Big Bash League 2025–26 season records an exciting Sydney derby played at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 16, 2026. The contest featured outstanding individual performances from David Warner and Steven Smith, with both experienced Australian batters scoring memorable centuries in a high-scoring T20 match.
Sydney Thunder posted 189/6 in their allotted 20 overs after Warner produced an unbeaten 110 from 65 balls. In reply, Sydney Sixers chased down the target by scoring 191/5 in 17.2 overs, winning by five wickets with 16 balls remaining. Steven Smith was named Player of the Match after smashing 100 from just 42 deliveries.
Match Summary
The match was the 37th game of the Big Bash League 2025–26 season. Sydney Sixers won the toss and elected to field first, giving Sydney Thunder the opportunity to set a target. Thunder built a competitive total, led by Warner’s powerful innings, but the Sixers responded with an even faster scoring effort.
| Match detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Tournament | Big Bash League 2025–26 |
| Match | 37th Match |
| Teams | Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder |
| Date | January 16, 2026 |
| Venue | Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney |
| Toss | Sydney Sixers elected to field |
| Sydney Thunder | 189/6 in 20 overs |
| Sydney Sixers | 191/5 in 17.2 overs |
| Result | Sydney Sixers won by 5 wickets |
| Player of the Match | Steven Smith |
Sydney Sixers’ successful chase was powered by Smith’s century and Babar Azam’s contribution of 47 runs. Their partnership helped the home side overcome Thunder’s substantial first-innings total and secure an important victory in the tournament.
Sydney Thunder Innings Scorecard
Sydney Thunder finished on 189/6 after batting for 20 overs. David Warner was the standout performer, remaining unbeaten on 110 from 65 balls. His innings included 11 fours and four sixes, combining careful placement with aggressive stroke play.
Nic Maddinson provided useful support with 26 from 16 deliveries. Warner’s ability to maintain the scoring rate through the innings helped Thunder reach a challenging total, although the Sixers eventually chased it down.
Sydney Thunder Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| David Warner | 110* | 65 | 11 | 4 |
| Nic Maddinson | 26 | 16 | — | — |
| Other batters | Contributed to the total | — | — | — |
| Total | 189/6 | 20 overs |
Note: The table highlights the leading verified batting performances. The complete individual batting entries and dismissal details should be checked against the official full scorecard before publication.
Warner’s unbeaten century was the foundation of the Thunder innings. He scored consistently throughout the 20 overs, ensuring the team had a total that could put pressure on the Sixers. Maddinson’s quick contribution also helped maintain momentum during the middle overs.
Sydney Sixers Bowling Performance
Sydney Sixers needed to contain Thunder’s aggressive batting, especially Warner, who remained at the crease until the end. Sam Curran was one of the leading bowlers for the Sixers, taking three wickets for 28 runs in four overs.
Ben Manenti also contributed with the ball, taking one wicket for 17 runs in three overs. The bowling effort restricted Thunder to 189 despite Warner’s exceptional individual score.
Key Bowling Figures for Sydney Sixers
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sam Curran | 4 | 28 | 3 |
| Ben Manenti | 3 | 17 | 1 |
Curran’s three wickets were important in limiting Thunder’s total. However, Warner’s unbeaten century meant the Sixers still faced a demanding target of 190 runs to win.
Sydney Sixers Innings Scorecard
Sydney Sixers approached the chase with a clear objective: keep the required run rate under control while building partnerships. Steven Smith delivered a remarkable innings, scoring 100 from 42 balls, including five fours and nine sixes. His aggressive approach changed the momentum of the match and helped the Sixers reach the target in just 17.2 overs.
Babar Azam contributed 47 runs from 39 balls, giving Smith support during the chase. Their partnership was central to the Sixers’ victory, as they combined stability with explosive scoring to keep the required rate within reach.
Sydney Sixers Batting Scorecard
| Batter | Runs | Balls | Fours | Sixes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steven Smith | 100 | 42 | 5 | 9 |
| Babar Azam | 47 | 39 | — | — |
| Other batters | Contributed to the chase | — | — | — |
| Total | 191/5 | 17.2 overs |
Smith’s century was the defining performance of the match. He combined clean hitting with effective placement, repeatedly finding boundaries and clearing the ropes. His nine sixes demonstrated the pressure he placed on the Thunder bowlers.
Babar’s innings was equally important to the chase in a different way. While Smith accelerated the scoring, Babar helped provide a stable partnership and ensured the innings did not depend on one batter alone.
Sydney Thunder Bowling Performance
Sydney Thunder needed wickets to stop the Sixers’ chase, but Smith’s attacking innings made that task difficult. Nathan McAndrew took two wickets for 34 runs, while Aidan O’Connor claimed one wicket for 17 runs. Despite these contributions, the Sixers maintained a strong scoring rate and reached the target before the end of the 18th over.
Key Bowling Figures for Sydney Thunder
| Bowler | Runs conceded | Wickets |
|---|---|---|
| Nathan McAndrew | 34 | 2 |
| Aidan O’Connor | 17 | 1 |
Thunder’s challenge was not simply to take wickets but to contain Smith during his rapid scoring spell. Once the Sixers’ chase gathered momentum, defending 189 became increasingly difficult. The Sixers’ batters made effective use of the available scoring opportunities and finished the match with 16 balls remaining.
Turning Points of the Match
David Warner’s unbeaten century
Warner gave Sydney Thunder a strong platform by scoring 110 not out from 65 balls. His 11 fours and four sixes helped Thunder reach 189/6, a total that would have tested many chasing teams. Warner’s innings was one of the most impressive individual performances of the match, even though it did not lead to a victory.
Steven Smith’s explosive hundred
Smith transformed the chase with a century from only 42 deliveries. His five fours and nine sixes put the Sixers ahead of the required scoring rate and shifted pressure onto Thunder’s bowlers. His innings ultimately proved more decisive than Warner’s because it helped his team complete the chase.
The Smith–Babar partnership
Babar Azam’s 47 runs gave Smith valuable support. A successful chase of 190 requires both acceleration and partnerships, and the Sixers received both. Their combined effort helped the team recover from the pressure of a substantial target and stay on course for victory.
The Sixers’ fast finish
Sydney Sixers reached 191/5 in 17.2 overs. Finishing the chase with 16 balls remaining reflected the speed of their scoring and reduced the opportunity for Thunder to use late bowling changes or create pressure through the required run rate.
Fall of Wickets and Match Progress
A detailed fall-of-wickets list records the score and over at which each batter is dismissed. It helps readers understand when a team lost momentum and how partnerships affected the innings. For this match, the most important overall figures are the two innings totals and the time taken by the Sixers to complete their chase.
| Innings milestone | Score |
|---|---|
| Sydney Thunder completed innings | 189/6 in 20 overs |
| Target for Sydney Sixers | 190 runs |
| Sydney Sixers completed chase | 191/5 in 17.2 overs |
| Winning margin | 5 wickets |
| Balls remaining | 16 |
For an exact ball-by-ball fall-of-wickets sequence, the official full scorecard should be consulted. This avoids publishing unverified dismissal timings or batter details.
Tactical Analysis of the Match
Sydney Thunder’s innings showed the value of having a batter who can occupy the crease and score quickly. Warner remained unbeaten and carried his bat through the innings, giving Thunder a competitive total. However, the Sixers’ bowlers managed to take six wickets, preventing Thunder from pushing their score substantially beyond 200.
The Sixers’ response demonstrated how a strong power-hitting performance can change a chase. Smith attacked the bowling at a high scoring rate, which reduced the pressure on the remaining batters. Rather than allowing the required run rate to climb, the Sixers took advantage of scoring opportunities and reached the target with overs to spare.
The contrast between the two centuries made this Sydney derby particularly memorable. Warner scored more slowly but stayed unbeaten, while Smith scored his hundred in fewer deliveries and drove the Sixers to victory. In a T20 match, the speed of scoring can be as important as the number of runs scored.
Key Highlights
- Sydney Thunder scored 189/6 in 20 overs.
- David Warner remained unbeaten on 110 from 65 balls.
- Sydney Sixers chased 190 and finished on 191/5 in 17.2 overs.
- Steven Smith scored 100 from 42 balls, including nine sixes.
- Babar Azam supported the chase with 47 runs.
- Sam Curran took three wickets for 28 runs for the Sixers.
- Sydney Sixers won by five wickets with 16 balls remaining.
- Steven Smith was named Player of the Match.
Why This Match Was Important
The result was significant for the Sixers’ campaign because the team remained in contention for a strong finish in the league stage. The victory also highlighted the team’s batting depth and ability to chase a large total under pressure.
For Thunder, Warner’s century was a major positive, but the bowling unit was unable to defend the total. The match illustrated how a score close to 190 can still be vulnerable when the chasing side has a batter capable of scoring at an exceptional rate.
The Sydney derby also offered fans a memorable contest between two experienced Australian batters. Warner’s 110 not out and Smith’s century gave the match two standout performances, while the Sixers’ successful chase supplied the decisive team result.
Conclusion
The Sydney Sixers Vs Sydney Thunder Match Scorecard captures a high-scoring Big Bash League derby decided by exceptional batting. Sydney Thunder posted 189/6, led by David Warner’s unbeaten 110, but Sydney Sixers responded with 191/5 in 17.2 overs. Steven Smith’s 100 from 42 balls and Babar Azam’s 47 powered the chase, securing a five-wicket win for the Sixers. Sam Curran’s three wickets and Smith’s Player of the Match performance were key highlights of a contest remembered for its two outstanding centuries.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who won the Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder match?
Sydney Sixers won the match by five wickets, reaching 191/5 in 17.2 overs while chasing Thunder’s total of 189/6.
What was Sydney Thunder’s score?
Sydney Thunder scored 189 runs for six wickets in 20 overs. David Warner top-scored with an unbeaten 110 from 65 balls.
How many runs did Steven Smith score?
Steven Smith scored 100 runs from 42 balls, including five fours and nine sixes. He was named Player of the Match.
How many runs did Babar Azam score?
Babar Azam scored 47 runs during the Sixers’ successful chase, supporting Steven Smith in the pursuit of 190.
Who was the leading wicket-taker for Sydney Sixers?
Sam Curran was among the leading bowlers for Sydney Sixers, taking three wickets for 28 runs in four overs.
