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BBL15 SWOT analysis: Can David Warner’s Sydney Thunder end the 10-year title drought?

Kaushik Kashyap

Sydney Thunder SWOT analysis. [Source - AFP Photos]Sydney Thunder SWOT analysis. [Source - AFP Photos]

Sydney Thunder begin their 2025-26 BBL season on December 16 against Hobart Hurricanes in Hobart. After reaching the knockouts in four of the last five seasons, including last edition’s final, they aim to end a 10-year title drought.

With a balanced squad, Thunder have experience and firepower across all departments. While they look strong on paper, their challenge is breaking the decade-long wait, making this season’s title push highly anticipated.

Sydney Thunder squad for BBL 2025-26

David Warner, Tom Andrews, Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson (arriving late), Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Ryan Hadley, Shadab Khan, Sam Konstas, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Aidan O'Connor, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha and Reece Topley (1st half).

Strengths of Sydney Thunder in BBL 2025-26

1. Exciting top-order led by David Warner

Sydney Thunder boast an exciting and experienced top order capable of setting the tone early and dominating the Powerplay, with stability and high tempo batting.

  • Sydney Thunder was one of the best batting team in PP last season - 33.35 and 132.79 SR.
  • David Warner remains one of the most experienced opening batters in T20 cricket.
  • Sam Konstas and Matt Gilkes add youthful aggression and fearlessness as both of them struck over 150 with the bat inside the PP last season.
  • Cameron Bancroft offer experience and flexibility across the top.

2. Strong all-round bowling depth

Sydney Thunder possess a versatile bowling unit like last season with options across pace, spin, and all-rounders, giving them flexibility to adapt to different phases of the innings.

Powerplay Attack:

  • Reece Topley and later Lockie Ferguson lead the Thunder’s pace assault upfront.
  • Chris Green’s finger spin and Nathan McAndrew providing significant early breakthroughs and control.

Middle-Overs Control:

  • The spin department takes charge here, with Chris Green and Tom McAndrew spearheading the finger-spin attack.
  • Both finger spinners claimed 9 wickets each at an exceptional 6.98 RPO in the middle overs last season making it a key strength for Thunder.
  • Shadab Khan adds firepower, maintaining a superb 17 SR and conceding around 8 RPO for both country and franchises this year in middle-over bowling.

Death Bowling:

  • Topley and later Ferguson will take the frontline at the death, supported by Wes Agar, Nathan McAndrew, and Daniel Sams.
  • Lockie Ferguson conceded just 6.97 RPO in death overs last season.
  • Reece Topley, who will be the cover for Ferguson’s late arrival, has maintained an impressive 7.92 RPO in T20 death overs this year.

Weaknesses of Sydney Thunder in BBL 2025-26

1. Middle-order inconsistency

Despite depth on paper, Thunder’s middle order lacks proven at the BBL level, making them vulnerable if early wickets fall.

  • A major concern is repeating last season’s poor middle-order performance: 17 average and 121 SR.
  • Sydney Thunder were the worst batting side in BBL last season during the middle-overs (7-16).
  • They averaged 20.68 and had a strike-rate of 119 in the middle-overs.
  • Except Sam Billings nobody in Thunder’s middle-order struck over 130 in the middle-overs.
  • Nic Maddinson’s form is unknown.
  • Shadab Khan’s inclusion is a major boost given his excellent middle-overs form this year, but he may be forced to do the heavy lifting.

Opportunities

1. Young gun to shine

With a likely absence from the rest of the Ashes series, Sam Konstas has a chance to add firepower at the top of Sydney Thunder’s order alongside David Warner which they lacked last season, showcasing his talent and making a statement in the 15th edition of BBL.

2. Tom McAndrew emerges as a dangerous all-rounder

In his first full season last edition, Tom McAndrew showed glimpses of becoming a lethal all-rounder. Striking at 203 in death overs with the bat and taking 11 wickets at 7.23 RPO with his left-arm spin, he is definitely a player to watch out for.

Threats

1. Batting vs left-arm orthodox spin

Sydney Thunder handled leg-spin and right-arm off-spin well last season, but left-arm orthodox spin remains a threat. Last season, they suffered 9 dismissals, averaging just 14.67 with a strike rate of 95.65, the worst among all teams.

Shadab Khan adds attacking force against left-arm spin, striking at 181 this year, but the threat remains if he fails to deliver, leaving the middle order vulnerable.

2. David Warner’s form

In the latter half of the 2025, David Warner struggled for consistency, scoring 314 runs at an average of 24.2 and 127.6 SR across MLC 2025 and the Hundred, well below his usual standards. He will aim to regain his firepower, as seen in T10 Abu Dhabi, where he struck at over 242.

Sydney Thunder probable XI for BBL 2025-26

Sam Konstas, David Warner (c), Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Tom McAndrew, Nathan McAndrew, Reece Topley and Wes Agar.

Expected finish: Top 4