In the seventh match of the 2025-26 Big Bash League season, the Sydney derby took center stage at the ENGIE Stadium. On a warm Saturday evening on December 20, 2025, the Sydney Sixers secured a much-needed 47-run victory over the Sydney Thunder. Entering the contest on a two-game losing streak, the men in magenta delivered a comprehensive performance that shifted their season’s momentum while leaving the Thunder searching for their first win of the campaign.
Sixers Set the Tone with Explosive Top-Order Batting
After the Sydney Thunder won the toss and elected to bowl, the Sixers’ opening pair took to the crease with intent. While Daniel Hughes provided a brisk start with 25 runs off 15 balls, including five boundaries, it was the second-wicket partnership that truly defined the innings. High-profile recruit Babar Azam and Josh Philippe combined for a devastating 140-run stand that dismantled the Thunder’s bowling plans.
Babar Azam, who had struggled for runs in his opening fixtures, found his rhythm with a clinical 58 off 42 deliveries. However, he played the supporting role to an inspired Josh Philippe. Philippe was in sublime form, blasting 96 runs from just 57 balls. His innings was a masterclass in aggressive T20 batting, featuring six boundaries and four towering sixes. He fell agonisingly short of a century in the final over, caught by Daniel Sams off Nathan McAndrew’s bowling, but his contribution propelled the Sixers to a formidable total of 198/5. Among the Thunder bowlers, Reece Topley was the most successful, claiming 3/41, while McAndrew chipped in with 2/41.
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Thunder’s Chase Derails Early Under Quality Pace
Faced with a steep target of 199, the Sydney Thunder needed a steady start, but their innings began in disastrous fashion. The chase was effectively derailed within the first three overs as the Sixers’ bowlers applied relentless pressure. Matthew Gilkes showed a flash of brilliance with three consecutive fours in the opening over before being stumped by Philippe off Todd Murphy for 12.
The situation worsened when Jack Edwards entered the attack. He struck gold almost immediately, removing Sam Konstas for 2 and then claiming the massive wicket of Thunder captain David Warner for just 2. Warner, sliding to number three for this match, was caught in the deep, leaving the Thunder reeling at 17/3. Cameron Bancroft attempted to anchor the innings but struggled to accelerate, eventually falling for 7 off 14 balls to the part-time spin of Joel Davies.
The Middle-Order Resistance and Edwards’ Five-Wicket Haul
The only significant resistance for the Thunder came from Sam Billings and Shadab Khan. Billings played a lone hand of 51 off 28 balls, striking four sixes to briefly give the home crowd a glimmer of hope. He shared a productive stand with Shadab Khan, who contributed a quick-fire 41 off 31 balls. Despite their efforts, the required run rate continued to climb, and the lack of support from the lower order proved fatal.
Jack Edwards returned to dismantle the tail and complete a career-best performance. He finished with remarkable figures of 5/26 from his four overs, making him only the fifth Sixers bowler to take a five-wicket haul in BBL history. Joel Davies also played a surprising role with the ball, taking 3/24 to ensure there was no late-innings miracle for the Thunder. The innings eventually folded for 151 in 19.1 overs when Reece Topley was caught off Kane Richardson.
Bragging Rights and Season Implications
The 47-run victory provided the Sixers with significant relief, lifting them from the bottom half of the table and restoring confidence ahead of their Boxing Day clash against the Melbourne Stars. For the Thunder, the defeat marked a difficult start to the tournament, leaving them winless after two matches.
Josh Philippe was deservedly named Player of the Match for his match-winning 96, a knock that silenced critics after a couple of lean seasons. This edition of the “Sydney Smash” belonged entirely to the Sixers, who proved that when their top order fires and their versatile bowling attack finds its length, they remains one of the most dangerous sides in the competition.
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