Sixers prevail in Sydney Smash to open account

Sydney Sixers secured their first win of the BBL 2025-26 season with a comprehensive 47-run victory over Sydney Thunder in the Sydney Smash. After losing their opening two matches, the Sixers ensured the Thunder remain winless in the new campaign.

Daniel Hughes provided early momentum in the powerplay, while Babar Azam started slowly with 7 off 11 balls. After Hughes fell to Reece Topley's slower ball, Babar partnered with Josh Philippe to accelerate. Philippe broke the shackles with a six and later targeted Shadab Khan for another six and a four, guiding the Sixers to 92/1 at the halfway stage.

Philippe and Babar built a dominant 140-run partnership, with Philippe reaching his fifty first. Topley eventually dismissed Babar, but the Sixers still posted a strong 198/5 despite scoring only 26 runs in the final three overs.

In reply, Thunder's chase began disastrously. Todd Murphy conceded three successive boundaries before claiming a stumping. David Warner struggled early and fell in Jack Edwards' first over, which yielded two wickets. At 17/3, Thunder never recovered.

Sam Billings and Shadab Khan offered resistance with half-century and 41-run contributions respectively, but the required rate proved too high. Edwards dismantled the lineup with regular strikes, finishing with a five-wicket haul as Thunder were bowled out for 151.

Brief scores: Sydney Sixers 198/5 in 20 overs (Josh Philippe 96, Babar Azam 58; Reece Topley 3/41) beat Sydney Thunder 151 in 19.1 overs (Sam Billings 51, Shadab Khan 41; Jack Edwards 5/26, Joel Davies 3/24) by 47 runs.