WBBL 2025 Match 35 Preview: Sydney Thunder Women vs Brisbane Heat Women

Match Details

• Date: Wednesday, 3rd December 2025
• Venue: Drummoyne Oval, Sydney
• Start Time: 08:10 AM GMT / 01:40 PM IST / 07:10 PM Local
• Tournament: Women’s Big Bash League 2025
• Match Number: 35
• Broadcast: Star Sports Network, JioCinema / Hotstar App & Website

Team Form and Momentum

The Sydney Thunder Women have had a mixed start to the season, with five losses in their first eight games. However, their batting unit, anchored by Heather Knight and Tahlia Wilson, has shown flashes of brilliance. The bowling attack, led by Shabnim Ismail and Chamari Athapaththu, has also contributed with consistent wicket-taking spells, keeping the team in contention in every match.

On the other hand, the Brisbane Heat Women find themselves in a similar position, struggling to convert their starts into wins. Nadine de Klerk has been the standout performer with both bat and ball, supported by Lucy Hamilton and Grace Harris, who provide balance in the middle and death overs. The Heat have managed to win three of the last five matches against the Thunder, giving them a slight edge in recent encounters.

Players to Watch

Sydney Thunder Women

• Heather Knight – The team’s leading run-scorer with 201 runs at an average of 33.5 and a strike rate of 132.23.
• Tahlia Wilson – A consistent performer with 201 runs in seven games, averaging 33.5 and a strike rate of 119.64.
• Shabnim Ismail – The Thunder’s leading wicket-taker with 11 wickets at an average of 19.63 and an economy of 5.91.

Brisbane Heat Women

• Nadine de Klerk – A top-order batter with 158 runs at an average of 22.57 and a strike rate of 147.66, supported by 5 wickets.
• Lucy Hamilton – The Heat’s leading wicket-taker with 8 wickets at an average of 27.8 and an economy of 6.20.
• Grace Harris – A versatile all-rounder averaging 23.5 with the bat and a strike rate of 125.33, with a knack for taking crucial wickets in the middle overs.

Head-to-Head (Last 5 Matches)

• Sydney Thunder Women: 2 wins
• Brisbane Heat Women: 3 wins

Despite the Thunder’s strong batting, the Heat have historically held the upper hand in this fixture. However, the Thunder are favored in the current prediction due to their recent form and home advantage.

Venue Insights: Drummoyne Oval

• Average 1st Innings Score (2024-25): ~155
• Pitch Behavior: Batting-friendly with good bounce and carry, especially in the powerplay.
• Spinners' Role: Effective in the middle overs.
• Pacers' Role: Early swing available, but conditions are generally favorable for batters.

Weather and Match Conditions

• Weather: Clear skies, with a high probability of a full match.
• Temperature: Around 22°C
• Wind: Light and variable
• Humidity: Moderate

Perfect conditions for a high-scoring T20 match.

Match Prediction

This match promises to be a tight and thrilling encounter. The Sydney Thunder Women, playing at home, will look to capitalize on their batting strength and home advantage. If Heather Knight and Tahlia Wilson can convert starts into big scores, the Thunder could push for a 160+ total.

However, the Brisbane Heat Women have the firepower to chase down such totals, with Nadine de Klerk and Grace Harris capable of playing match-defining knocks. The battle between the Thunder’s pace bowlers and the Heat’s explosive middle order will be a key subplot.

Prediction:
The Sydney Thunder Women are slight favorites, but the Brisbane Heat Women have the potential to spring a surprise. The match is expected to be a close contest, with the toss potentially playing a decisive role.

Fantasy Cricket Tips

• Captaincy Picks:

  • Heather Knight (Sydney Thunder Women)
  • Nadine de Klerk (Brisbane Heat Women)
  • Grace Harris (Brisbane Heat Women)

• Wicket-keeper Allrounder: Georgia Voll (Sydney Thunder Women) – Good for bonus points and impact in the middle overs.

• Bowler Picks:

  • Shabnim Ismail (Sydney Thunder Women)
  • Lucy Hamilton (Brisbane Heat Women)
  • Hannah Darlington (Sydney Thunder Women) – Consistent performer at Drummoyne Oval.

• Differential Picks:

  • Jess Jonassen (Brisbane Heat Women) – Useful with the ball and in the lower order.
  • Chamari Athapaththu (Sydney Thunder Women) – Explosive opener with impact in pressure situations.

Conclusion

The match between Sydney Thunder Women and Brisbane Heat Women in the 35th match of WBBL 2025 is poised to be one of the most exciting contests of the tournament. With both teams evenly matched and key players in form, the result could go either way. Fans can expect a high-scoring thriller at Drummoyne Oval, where every over could change the dynamics of the game.

Cricket enthusiasts are in for a treat as two of the league's most competitive teams clash in what could be a turning point for both sides in the race for the playoffs.
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