Sydney Thunder Edge Past Sydney Sixers to Reach BBL Final
Sydney Thunder advance to the BBL final, where they will face Hobart Hurricanes.
Sydney Thunder secured their place in the Big Bash League (BBL) final after defeating Sydney Sixers by four wickets in a tense Challenger Final derby at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The victory, achieved with seven balls to spare, sets up a showdown against Hobart Hurricanes on Monday.
David Warner, leading Thunder’s charge, now has the opportunity to guide his team to their first BBL title in nine years. A key contributor to the win was Sam Billings, whose composed innings anchored the chase despite regular wickets falling. Needing 18 runs off 13 balls, Billings broke the pressure with a massive six off Hayden Kerr, helping the team reach the target of 157.
Thunder’s disciplined bowling and sharp fielding restricted the Sixers to 151 for 7. A crucial sixth-wicket stand of 56 runs between Jordan Silk and Ben Dwarshuis gave the Sixers some hope. However, spinners Tom Andrews, Tanveer Sangha, and Chris Green controlled the game on a spin-friendly surface, conceding only 66 runs in their combined 10 overs. Andrews claimed two wickets in three balls, denting the Sixers’ middle order.
In reply, Thunder’s Jason Sangha opened with Warner and provided a flying start, scoring 30 off 19 balls before being dismissed. Warner contributed 11 but fell early. Billings then took charge, stabilizing the innings and finishing unbeaten on 42. Despite a middle-order collapse, Thunder’s lower-order batters ensured victory in the 19th over.
Matthew Gilkes’ innings of 26 featured drama, including a controversial run-out decision. A direct hit from Kerr appeared to dismiss Gilkes, but replays revealed that Jack Edwards’ hands had disturbed the stumps before the ball. The third umpire ruled Gilkes out, as the zing bails had not fully lit up.
Young leg-spinner Jafer Chohan impressed for the Sixers, conceding just 22 runs in his four overs and taking a wicket. However, the Sixers lacked sufficient spin options to trouble Thunder on the challenging surface.
The Sixers’ top order faltered, managing only 23 runs in the powerplay while losing two wickets. Philippe, batting at No. 3 after a poor run of form, was run out in unfortunate circumstances when a dropped return catch by Tanveer Sangha deflected onto the stumps.
Jordan Silk stood out with an unbeaten 43, including two sixes during the power surge, but lacked support from the other batters. Ben Dwarshuis added quick runs toward the end, scoring 19 off the 18th over to give the Sixers a fighting total, but it proved insufficient against Thunder’s determined chase.
With this victory, Sydney Thunder advance to the BBL final, where they will face Hobart Hurricanes. The team will look to build on this momentum and aim for their first championship title since 2016.