Steve Smith and Ben Dwarshuis Lead Sixers to Derby Double Over Thunder

Steve Smith scored a century to nullify David Warner’s second hundred of the Big Bash League 2025/26 season as the Sydney Sixers completed a derby double over Sydney Thunder. Recent matches between the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder across both men’s BBL and Women’s Big Bash League competitions have delivered final-ball thrillers, century stands, and historic player transfers across Sydney cricket venues.

In their men’s BBL derby match, Ben Dwarshuis emerged as the unlikely hero with the bat for the Sixers, coming in late to score the winning runs on the final ball of a high-tension finish. The Sixers’ victory came after a ‘village’ error by the Thunder in the final over of the match. Earlier in the contest, young Thunder opening batter Sam Konstas was bowled for a duck. Warner’s hundred marked his second century of the BBL 2025/26 season, and for the second time during the campaign, the Thunder captain finished on the losing side despite reaching three figures in the Sydney Sixers vs Sydney Thunder derby.

Smith and Babar lead Sixers in men’s derby

The Sixers’ BBL victory over the Thunder also featured a key half-century from Pakistan top-order batter Babar Azam, who ended his Big Bash League run drought in style. Babar scored a sparkling 58-run innings to lead the Sixers to a win over their local rivals. His 58-run knock highlighted the performance of Pakistan stars in the BBL, anchoring the Sixers’ middle overs against a Thunder bowling attack that featured Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, and Tanveer Sangha.

The Thunder fielded a full-strength playing XI for the derby fixture, lining up with captain David Warner, Sam Konstas, Matthew Gilkes, Cameron Bancroft, wicketkeeper Sam Billings, all-rounder Shadab Khan, Daniel Sams, Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, and Tanveer Sangha. Despite boasting international experience throughout the batting order and dual spin options in Shadab and Sangha, the Thunder failed to defend their total against the Sixers’ late-order push.

Lauren Cheatle switches sides on three-year contract

Rivalry between the two Sydney franchises intensified off the field when left-arm pacer Lauren Cheatle signed a three-year contract with local rivals Sydney Sixers Women. Cheatle left Sydney Thunder Women to join the reigning WBBL champions, becoming the first player in competition history to move directly between the two Sydney clubs in a major transfer blow to the Thunder.

The transfer represented a significant loss for Sydney Thunder Women, who lost their primary left-arm pace bowler. For the Sixers, signing the teenage pacer adds proven left-arm pace depth to an already championship-winning squad as they defend their WBBL title in upcoming league fixtures.

Drummoyne double-header and North Sydney Oval fixtures

In the Women’s Big Bash League 2026 season, both Sydney sides registered convincing wins during a double-header at Drummoyne Oval. Sydney Thunder Women won the opening match of the day against Brisbane Heat Women before Sydney Sixers Women defeated Hobart Hurricanes Women in the second fixture. Following their victory over Brisbane Heat, Sydney Thunder named an unchanged squad for their WBBL|12 clash against Perth Scorchers Women at Drummoyne Oval on November 5.

The Sydney Smash fixture moved to North Sydney Oval on November 30 for Match 31 of the Women’s Big Bash League 2025 season. Both Sydney Sixers Women and Sydney Thunder Women entered Match 31 searching for momentum after struggling for consistency in previous rounds. Live streaming, toss updates, and playing XIs were confirmed ahead of play at North Sydney Oval. Venue organisers arranged for Sydney Thunder membership staff to operate at the Sydney Sixers Membership Marquee located near the Ridge Street entrance, allowing visiting Thunder Nation members to sign up or access membership support on match day.

Looking ahead in the WBBL 2026 calendar, match predictions, form guides, and player stats focus on November 8th, when Sydney Sixers Women meet Sydney Thunder Women in the 15th match of the tournament. The Sydney derby shares the schedule on November 8th with another key WBBL match between Perth Scorchers Women and Melbourne Stars Women. Pitch reports, player form guides, player stats, and head-to-head records for the SS-W vs ST-W 15th Match indicate a tight contest as both Sydney teams aim to secure vital points in the tournament standings.