Brisbane Heat Women vs Sydney Thunder Women – Match Preview (2025/26 WBBL 18th Match)

Date: Friday, 21 November 2025
Venue: Allan Border Field, Brisbane
Time: 09:10 AM GMT | 02:40 PM IST | 07:10 PM Local
Tournament: Women’s Big Bash League 2025/26
Match: 18th Match of the Season

Match Context

The 18th match of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) 2025/26 features a crucial encounter between Brisbane Heat Women (BHW) and Sydney Thunder Women (STW) at the Allan Border Field in Brisbane. The venue, known for its balanced nature, has historically favored chasing teams, with 67% of matches won by the side batting second.

Both teams come into the match with contrasting form. Brisbane Heat, led by Jess Jonassen, have lost all three of their opening matches and are currently at the bottom of the table. Meanwhile, Sydney Thunder, captained by Phoebe Litchfield, have just broken a three-match losing streak with a nine-wicket win over the Perth Scorchers.

Team Form

Brisbane Heat Women (BHW)

• Last 5 Matches: L, L, L, L, L
• Top Run-Scorers: Grace Harris (74 runs, avg 37), Chinelle Henry (68 runs, avg 22.66)
• Top Bowler: Lucy Hamilton (3 wickets, avg 24, strike rate 18 balls per wicket)
• Challenge: The Heat have struggled with both bat and ball so far and will be eager to end their winless start.

Sydney Thunder Women (STW)

• Last 5 Matches: L, L, L, W, L
• Top Run-Scorers: Tahlia Wilson (wk), Phoebe Litchfield
• Top Bowler: Shabnim Ismail (consistent with the ball, known for early impact)
• Momentum: After a morale-boosting win, the Thunder will look to build consistency and climb up the standings.

Head-to-Head

• All Matches (T20s): 24 matches played
  • Brisbane Heat Women (BHW): 14 wins
  • Sydney Thunder Women (STW): 10 wins
• Last Meeting (WBBL 2025): Sydney Thunder won by 9 wickets
• Venue Record (Allan Border Field):
  • Win Bat First: 33%
  • Win Bowl First: 67%
  • Average First Innings Score: 139
  • Average Second Innings Score: 130

Key Players to Watch

Brisbane Heat Women

• Grace Harris: A consistent middle-order batter with match-winning potential.
• Chinelle Henry: Known for her explosive batting and ability to anchor the innings.
• Lucy Hamilton: A versatile all-rounder who can turn the game with a big score or crucial wickets.
• Jess Jonassen: Provides balance with her batting and left-arm spin.

Sydney Thunder Women

• Phoebe Litchfield: The anchor of the top order and a key batter in both innings.
• Tahlia Wilson (wk): A wicketkeeper-batter with a strong record in pressure situations.
• Shabnim Ismail: A wicket-taking machine, especially in the powerplay.
• Georgia Voll: Offers aggressive batting in the powerplay and can change the momentum quickly.

Venue and Weather Conditions

• Pitch Report: The pitch at Allan Border Field is known for offering good bounce and movement in the early overs, favoring seamers. However, as the game progresses, it becomes more batter-friendly.
• Weather: Partly cloudy with humidity and a slight chance of rain. The pitch could remain responsive, especially in the middle overs.

Fantasy Cricket Dream11 Suggestions

Captain & Vice-Captain (Small Leagues)

• Captain: Phoebe Litchfield (Sydney Thunder)
• Vice-Captain: Grace Harris (Brisbane Heat)

Differential Picks (Grand Leagues)

• Lucy Hamilton (BHW): Aggressive batting and all-round contribution.
• Shabnim Ismail (STW): Match-winning bowler with consistent wicket-taking ability.
• Tahlia Wilson (STW): Dual threat with bat and gloves.

Match Prediction

Given the form and momentum, Sydney Thunder Women are slight favorites to win this match. Their recent victory and stronger batting depth could give them the edge. However, Brisbane Heat Women will be highly motivated to end their winless run, and the pitch could play a key role in determining the outcome.

Prediction:
Sydney Thunder Women to win by 10-15 runs.

Where to Watch

• Live Telecast in India: Star Sports Network
• Live Streaming: JioHotstar (Smartphones, Tablets, Laptops, Smart TVs)
• Live Score Updates: [Fantasy Cricket Apps & Live Websites]

Final Thoughts

This match promises to be a tight and exciting encounter, with both teams eager to climb the table. The key will be how well the top orders perform and whether the bowlers can exploit the early seam conditions. With the venue favoring chasing teams, the side that wins the toss and chooses to bowl first may have the upper hand.

Let the battle begin! 🏏