In a high-stakes encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), the Sydney Sixers secured their place in a record eighth Big Bash League final by dismantling the Hobart Hurricanes by 57 runs in the BBL|15 Challenger on January 23, 2026. This victory sets up a monumental sixth final showdown against their eternal rivals, the Perth Scorchers.
The Toss and Early Exchanges
Hobart Hurricanes captain Ben McDermott won the toss and elected to bowl first, hoping to exploit any early moisture or evening dew at the historic SCG. The Sixers, forced into a reshuffle after the departure of Babar Azam for national duty, opened with Daniel Hughes and Steve Smith. While Hughes fell early for 4 in the third over, caught by Mitchell Owen off Riley Meredith, the stage was set for a vintage performance from Australia’s greatest modern batter.
Also Read: BBL Match Knockout: Hobart Hurricanes vs Melbourne Stars (Jan 21, 2026)
Steve Smith’s Masterclass and the Sixers’ Surge
Steve Smith anchored the innings with a composed yet clinical 65 off 43 balls. His innings was punctuated by nine boundaries and a towering six, as he manipulated the field with his trademark precision. He found a steady partner in Josh Philippe, who contributed 15 runs before falling to Billy Stanlake.
The middle order then injected significant momentum. Moises Henriques added a brisk 19, but it was the late-innings fireworks that truly demoralized the Hurricanes. Joel Davies played a blistering cameo, smashing 27 runs from just 12 deliveries, while Lachlan Shaw provided further impetus with 21 off 13. Despite a flurry of late wickets—Riley Meredith claiming three for 52 and Rishad Hossain taking two for 33—the Sixers finished on a formidable 198/8. The Hurricanes’ frustration was evident during the first innings, highlighted by a heated verbal exchange between Beau Webster and Matthew Wade in the dugout as the runs flowed.
Hurricanes Struggle Under Scoreboard Pressure
Chasing 199 in a knockout match is a daunting task, and the Hurricanes never truly found their rhythm. The chase got off to a rocky start when Mitchell Owen was dismissed by Mitchell Starc for 3 in the second over. Tim Ward followed shortly after, leaving Hobart reeling at 29/2 within the powerplay.
Ben McDermott attempted to lead a recovery, scoring a valiant 40 off 26 balls, including three fours and a six. However, he lacked sustained support from the other end. Beau Webster struggled for timing, laboring to 24 off 27 balls before falling to the relentless Ben Dwarshuis. The turning point came in the 12th over when Joel Davies, later named Player of the Match, removed Nikhil Chaudhary and then dismissed Matthew Wade for a golden duck on consecutive deliveries.
Clinical Bowling Seals the Final Berth
The Sixers’ bowling unit operated with surgical discipline. Ben Dwarshuis was the pick of the bowlers, finishing with figures of 3/26 from his three overs. He effectively wiped out the tail, claiming the wickets of Will Prestwidge and Riley Meredith in quick succession. Mitchell Starc and Sean Abbott were equally impactful, picking up two wickets apiece while maintaining immense pressure.
The Hurricanes were eventually bowled out for 141 in 17.2 overs when Rishad Hossain (11) was caught by substitute fielder Jordan Silk off the bowling of Jack Edwards. The 57-run victory was a statement of intent from the Sixers, who managed to overcome the pre-match loss of their marquee international batter to prove their depth and big-match temperament.
Looking Ahead to the Grand Final
With this dominant performance, the Sydney Sixers head to Perth to face the Scorchers on Sunday. This marks the sixth time these two powerhouses will meet in a BBL final, a rivalry that has defined the league for over a decade. While the Scorchers hold a narrow 3-2 lead in previous final meetings, the form of Steve Smith and the clinical efficiency of the Sixers’ bowling attack suggest that the “Magenta Men” are more than ready to reclaim the trophy. For the Hurricanes, the season ends with a sense of “what if,” following a campaign where they showed flashes of brilliance but ultimately fell short against a battle-hardened Sydney side.
Also Read: BBL Match Final: Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers (Jan 25, 2026)