Last Updated on 23 seconds ago by Charbel Coorey

If the Sydney Smash provides anything like the entertainment we saw in Brisbane on Friday night, then we’ll be in for a cracking match.

However, that is unlikely on a Sydney Showground pitch that usually favours spin and cutters into the surface. Matches here are often tactical of nature where teams need to grind their way to competitive totals.

Sydney Sixers need to win. They’ve lost their first two matches, with the latest a home defeat to Adelaide Strikers after struggling to an under-par total. Their experienced players must step up, especially Babar Azam who is their big recruit.

Sydney Thunder will be just as keen as defeat here will mean two in a row after their loss to Hobart Hurricanes earlier in the week. David Warner’s return is a boost, although where he bats is not set in stone. Also, the Thunder have the spinners to cause the Sixers problems, and that is the aim on Saturday night.

BBL 2025/26 7th Match: THU vs SIX Possible Playing XIs

Kane Richardson is named in the Sydney Sixers squad. He could replace Mitch Perry in the XI. Todd Murphy is also available and could feature on what is typically a spin-friendly ground.

Sydney Sixers: 1. Daniel Hughes, 2. Babar Azam (OS), 3. Josh Philippe (wk), 4. Moises Henriques (c), 5. Jordan Silk, 6. Jack Edwards, 7. Joel Davies, 8. Ben Dwarshuis, 9. Hayden Kerr/Todd Murphy, 10. Kane Richardson, 11. Jafer Chohan

David Warner is available for this match. He replaces Ollie Davies in the squad. The Thunder captain could bat down the order.

“We don’t have that left-hander in the middle [order] that we’ve been looking for. It’s a conversation we’re having at the moment,” Warner said last week, as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

Sydney Thunder: 1. David Warner (c), 2. Sam Konstas, 3. Cameron Bancroft, 4. Sam Billings (wk, OS), 5. Matthew Gilkes, 6. Shadab Khan (OS), 7. Daniel Sams, 8. Chris Green, 9. Nathan McAndrew, 10. Tanveer Sangha, 11. Reece Topley (OS)

ENGIE Stadium Sydney Showground Pitch Report and Weather

Spin usually has a big say on this ground. The average first innings score in the last five BBL matches is 149.8. Teams batting first have won the past three games.

Since the start of 2023, pace bowlers have taken 63 wickets in the BBL at an average of 24.83 and economy of 8.00. Spinners have picked up 34 wickets at an average of 21.64 and low economy of 6.45.

A hot day is forecast with a top of 36 degrees in Western Sydney. There is the chance of an afternoon shower, but there is a “25% (low) chance of at least 1mm” according to the Bureau of Meteorology.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for THU vs SIX 2025/26: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Both Josh Philippe (avg. 13 in six innings) and Sam Billings (avg. 14.88 in nine innings) have a poor record on this ground. Billings has fared pretty well for the Thunder against the Sixers, though, hitting 114 runs at an average of 38.00 and strike rate of 140.74.

Key batter picks:

• David Warner will be looking to make an immediate impact. He averages 41.50 with a strike rate of 143.10 in T20s at Sydney Showground.
• Cameron Bancroft top scored with 61 for the Thunder in their season opener against the Hurricanes. Also, Bancroft has an excellent record on this ground: 10 inns, 397 runs, avg. 66.17, SR 123.29.
• Daniel Hughes has 435 runs (avg. 48.33, SR 129.46) against the Sydney Thunder. He also has a dominant matchup against Daniel Sams, scoring 70 runs off 31 balls without dismissal.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Daniel Sams enjoys bowling on this ground. He has the most wickets (34) at an average of 16.79 and economy of 7.88. His matchup against Babar Azam will be key as the Pakistani batter has a terrible record against left-arm seam in T20s this year: 60 balls, 37 runs, five dismissals.
• Shadab Khan was impressive against Hobart Hurricanes, scoring 34 (24) and taking 2/36, resulting in 133 Dream11 points. He should enjoy conditions at ENGIE Stadium.
• Jack Edwards has enjoyed an excellent start to the BBL 2025/26 season. The all-rounder has struck 78 runs at a strike rate of 185.71 and has picked up three wickets at a strike rate of 12.

Key bowler picks:

• Ben Dwarshuis has 20 wickets against the Thunder at an average of 22.00 and economy of 7.59. He has an utterly dominant record against Daniel Sams, having dismissed him four times for 11 runs in 13 balls.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• A typically slower surface should suit Babar Azam. But, bowlers will look to target his pull shot which has got him into trouble in recent T20s. Also, his matchup against left-arm seam is an issue.
• Moises Henriques has a fine record against the Thunder (546 runs, avg. 42.00, SR 132.52) and on this ground (185 runs, avg. 37.00, SR 139.10).
• Chris Green has just the 11 wickets in 19 innings against the Sixers. But, he has the second-most wickets on this ground (26) at a strike rate of 22.46.
• Tanveer Sangha should find some grip off the surface. He concedes 6.18 per over in six innings at ENGIE Stadium (five wickets).
• Kane Richardson has 18 wickets in 15 innings against the Thunder. He should bowl in the crunch overs here.
• Sam Konstas missed out twice against the Sixers last season (nine runs) but he is capable of taking the bowlers on and making a score.

Other Stats and Facts

• Head-to-head: Matches 28, Thunder 8, Sixers 18, N/R 2.
• Both teams have won four games against each other on this ground.
• Jack Edwards has taken six wickets in five innings against the Thunder at an average of 15.17 and economy of 6.07.
• Jack Edwards has dismissed both Sam Konstas (11 balls, 4 runs) and David Warner (9 balls, 20 runs) once in T20s.
• Ben Dwarshuis vs Cameron Bancroft in T20s: 48 balls, 53 runs, one wicket.
• Ben Dwarshuis vs David Warner in T20s: 21 balls, 22 runs, no wicket.
• Chris Green vs Daniel Hughes in T20s: 53 balls, 57 runs, one wicket.
• Ben Dwarshuis vs Sam Billings in T20s: 15 balls, 24 runs, one wicket. Billings scored 15 runs off six balls against Dwarshuis last season.
• Kane Richardson vs Daniel Sams in T20s: 29 balls, 54 runs, one wicket.

BBL 2025/26 7th Match: THU vs SIX Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

BBL 2025/26 7th Match: THU vs SIX Match Prediction – Who will win?

Sixers have a brilliant record against the Thunder. But, the Sixers are on shaky ground and the Thunder will believe they can win this match.