Hobart Hurricanes
Sydney Thunder
The Big Bash League 2025/26 season will move into its third match with Hobart Hurricanes facing Sydney Thunder. This will be the opening game for both teams, and both sides will look to start with a win.
Hobart will enter the season as defending champions and will aim to carry forward last year’s momentum. Sydney Thunder will look to respond after finishing second best in the previous final. Nathan Ellis will lead the Hurricanes, while David Warner will captain the Thunder, with a possibility of him batting in the middle order.
Recent history will favour Hobart going into this match. Hurricanes will have won 4 of the last 6 head-to-head games, while Thunder will have managed just one win, with one match abandoned. Conditions at this venue will suit balanced teams, and a first-innings score around 165 to 170 will be competitive. Both teams will rely on disciplined bowling and a steady batting approach in the early stages.
Sydney’s opening pair has Warner’s experience with Konstas’ aggressive powerplay scoring, while Hobart’s opening combination is not finalised, giving Thunder a clearer edge at the top.
The betting tip is...
Highest Opening Partnership - Sydney Thunder
60 %
40 %
Hobart HurricanesSydney ThunderHobart Hurricanes’ batting unit has depth throughout the order. Matthew Wade and Ben McDermott will remain key to setting the tempo, while Tim David will provide power through the middle and death overs. Mitch Owen will arrive in strong form after finishing last season as the leading run scorer with 452 runs from 11 matches at a strike rate of 203.
Beau Webster and Jake Weatherald will add stability in the middle overs, with the ability to rotate strike or clear the boundary when needed. The bowling attack looks equally settled. Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake will bring pace and bounce early on. Nathan Ellis and Chris Jordan will control the death overs with accuracy.
Rehan Ahmed and Rishad Hossain will offer wrist-spin options, while Mitch Owen and Mac Wright will add useful all-round depth.
Ellis, Meredith and Hossain are the key bowlers.
Predicted Lineup: Mitch Owen, Tim Ward, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben McDermott, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis (c), Riley Meredith and Rishad Hossain
David Warner will lead the side and anchor the batting order at the top with Sam Konstas. Cameron Bancroft will add stability at the top, while Sam Billings will provide experience and flexibility in the middle order.
Ollie Davies will be relied upon to keep the scoring rate high through the middle overs. Sam Konstas and Matt Gilkes will bring youthful intent after both cleared 150 runs inside the power play last season.
The bowling unit will remain versatile and well covered. Reece Topley will lead the pace attack with the new ball. Chris Green and Nathan McAndrew will control the middle overs, having taken 9 wickets each at an economy of 6.98 last season. This combination will allow Thunder to apply pressure consistently across phases.
Topley, Sangha and McAndrew are the key bowlers.
Predicted Lineup: David Warner (c), Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Ollie Davies, Sam Billings (wk), Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Ryan Hadley, Reece Topley, Tanveer Sangha and Shadab Khan/Tom Andrews
Sydney Thunder look better placed with their top-order batters. If David Warner opens with Sam Konstas, the pair will have the chance to control the powerplay. Warner will bring experience and strike rotation, while Konstas will play with freedom and intent. Both batters will have shown the ability to score quickly against the new ball. The duo performed well last season as well.
Hobart’s opening combination looks less settled, with uncertainty around who partners with Mitch Owen. That lack of clarity at the top could slow Hobart in the first six overs. On a surface where early runs matter, Sydney’s opening pair will most likely set a stronger base and create an early distinction in this contest.
