Sydney Sixers to face Sydney Thunder in Challenger round [Source: @BBL, @ThunderBBL/X.com]
The Big Bash League 2024-25 season has reached its conclusion with Sydney Sixers taking on the Sydney Thunder in the challenger contest. The match will be held on January 24 at the Sydney Cricket Ground starting from 1.45 PM IST.
Sydney Sixers
The Sydney Sixers haven’t been the same since Steve Smith left the squad for national duties. In the qualifier contest against Hobart Hurricanes, the Sixers bowling unit allowed them to score 173 runs. Caleb Owen and Ben McDermott slammed 40 runs each to pile up the total. In the second inning, despite opener Kurtis Patterson’s 48 off 33, the Sixers’ middle-order's collapse put them on the backfoot.
Jordan Silk and Lachlan Shaw’s 60-run partnership came too late as the Sixers fell short of 12 runs in the chase to endure a tough defeat. This is their second and final chance to stay alive in the final race.
Sydney Thunder
Sydney Thunder, meanwhile, led by David Warner, beat Melbourne Stars in the knockout game to qualify for the challenger round. Despite putting up just a 135-run total in the first inning, the Thunder’s bowling lineup pulled off a brilliant effort. Nathan McAndrew picked up a five-wicket-haul for 16 runs in his four-over spell.
Tom Andrews and Tanveer Sangha also chipped in 2 wickets to bowl out the Stars for 114 runs and secure an inspiring 21-run victory. Needless to say, a solid effort from the bowling unit helped Thunder cross the finish line. However, for the knockout game, the batters must step up to post-par total, irrespective of the conditions and toss.
SIX vs THU: Head to head in BBL
Sydney Sixers have faced Sydney Thunder 27 times in BBL’s history. The derby was dominated by the Sixers as they won 18 games whereas Thunder secured 7 wins.
Matches Played | Sixers Won | Thunder Won | No Result |
---|---|---|---|
27 | 18 | 7 | 2 |
SIX vs THU: Head to head in SCG
The Sydney Cricket Ground has hosted the derby 12 times. The Sixers once again dominated the matchup with 9 wins whereas Thunder had to settle for 2 wins.
Matches Played | Sixers Won | Thunder Won | No Result |
---|---|---|---|
12 | 9 | 2 | 1 |
Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder: What happened when they last played?
The Sydney Sixers last played against Sydney Thunder on the 37th match day of the Big Bash League 2024-25 season. Sydney Thunder batted first and reached a total of 37 runs by losing only one wicket as the play stopped due to rain. It was the rain having the last laugh in the sense that the match was called off without a result, giving both teams a single point.
However, the same season saw the Thunder and Sixers clash in the 8th match. The Sixers won that contest by a whisker as they chased a 164-run total on the last ball. Ben Dwarshuis hit a fine 20 off 8 balls to power the Sixers to a nail-biting win.