Last Updated on 5 months ago by Charbel Coorey

The 3rd match of the BBL 2025/26 is a repeat of last year’s final. Champions Hobart Hurricanes look strong once again as they host the Sydney Thunder in front of their home fans.

The Hurricanes bat deep and have plenty of bowling options to turn to. Rehan Ahmed, Chris Jordan and Rishad Hossain add plenty of depth and T20 experience to the squad in addition to the strong top order and capable pace bowling attack. If the likes of Mitch Owen and Tim David produce anything like the form they did last season, the Hurricanes will be very hard to beat.

Sydney Thunder are aiming to go one better this season, but they have suffered a few injury blows before the start of their campaign. R Ashwin was set to feature before suffering a knee injury. Now, David Warner is ruled out after suffering a freak side injury while playing with his children.

The big challenge for the Thunder is whether the bowling attack can keep the Hurricanes quiet. They were belted all over Bellerive Oval in last season’s final.

BBL 2025/26 3rd Match: HUR vs THU Possible Playing XIs

Hobart Hurricanes have named their squad for this match. Rehan Ahmed, Chris Jordan and Rishad Hossain are all available.

Hobart Hurricanes: 1. Mitchell Owen, 2. Matthew Wade (wk), 3. Ben McDermott, 4. Tim David, 5. Nikhil Chaudhary, 6. Rehan Ahmed (OS), 7. Chris Jordan (OS), 8. Rishad Hossain (OS), 9. Nathan Ellis (c), 10. Riley Meredith, 11. Billy Stanlake

Shadab Khan and Reece Topley have been named in the Sydney Thunder squad. Cameron Bancroft or Nic Maddinson will likely partner Sam Konstas at the top in Warner’s absence.

Sydney Thunder: 1. Cameron Bancroft, 2. Sam Konstas, 3. Nic Maddinson, 4. Sam Billings (OS, wk), 5. Ollie Davies, 6. Shadab Khan (OS), 7. Daniel Sams, 8. Chris Green (c), 9. Nathan McAndrew, 10. Reece Topley (OS), 11. Ryan Hadley

Bellerive Oval Hobart Pitch Report and Weather

Expect a good batting pitch once again in Hobart. The short square boundaries will also make life tricky for the bowlers. Partly cloudy conditions are forecast with temperatures to drop to around 15 degrees. No rain is expected.

In last season’s BBL, the average first innings score was 167.86. Chasing teams won five of the seven matches, scoring at 8.78 per over compared to the 8.39 by teams batting first.

Since the start of 2023, pace bowlers have taken 113 wickets on this ground in the BBL at an average of 26.77 and economy of 8.58. Spinners have picked up 46 wickets at an average of 34.89 and economy of 8.04.

Fantasy Cricket Tips for HUR vs THU 2025/26: Key Players to Watch/Key Stats

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Matthew Wade averages 44.09 with a strike rate of 153.48 against the Thunder (485 runs). Wade has been in good form in the Australian One Day Cup this season, with scores of 40, 105, 3, 46* and 16.

Key batter picks:

• Tim David has smashed 1,127 T20 runs this year at an average of 38.9 and strike rate of 176.6. He loves batting at number four, with a strike rate of 186.8 in that role this year.
• Sam Konstas has plenty to prove. He comes into this match in good form after scores of 116 and 53 for New South Wales against Queensland in the Sheffield Shield last week.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Mitch Owen had a season to remember in 2025/26, smashing the most runs (452) at a strike rate of 203.60. This includes a superb 108 (42) against the Thunder in the final.
• Daniel Sams has taken 12 wickets in 10 matches against the Hurricanes. Expect the Thunder to use him against Tim David, whom he has dismissed four times for 50 runs in 38 balls.
• Shadab Khan will bat in the top six and is a key bowler for the Thunder. He took 3/20 in his only T20 at Bellerive Oval so far.
• Chris Jordan bowls the crunch overs and fields in the hotspot positions. The Englishman can accumulate plenty of fantasy points in the field.

Key bowler picks:

• The experienced Nathan Ellis has 15 wickets in 10 games against the Thunder. He has a great matchup against Sam Billings, whom he has dismissed four times for 25 runs in 26 balls.
• Riley Meredith has the most T20 wickets on this ground (48) at an average of 18.75 and strike rate of 14.88. He also has a good record against Sam Billings with two wickets in 24 balls (29 runs).

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Sam Billings is crucial to the Thunder’s hopes. He has scored 205 runs in seven matches against the Hurricanes at an average of 34.17 and strike rate of 146.43. However, he has poor matchups against Ellis and Meredith (as above).
• Chris Green is picked by over 85% of players in Dream11. But, you could leave him out of some of your teams. He has just six wickets in 13 matches against the Hurricanes and is wicketless in seven matches (20 overs) at Bellerive Oval.
• Ben McDermott has the most runs at Bellerive Oval (1,077 runs, avg. 38.46, SR 132.64) and second-most runs in HUR-THU matches (453, avg. 41.18, SR 140.25).

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 23, Hurricanes 14, Thunder 8, N/R 1.
• Hurricanes have won 10 of 12 matches against the Thunder at Bellerive Oval.
• Tim David vs Sydney Thunder: 7 inns, 196 runs, avg. 49.00, SR 167.52.
• Cameron Bancroft vs Hobart Hurricanes: 9 inns, 119 runs, avg. 14.88, SR 111.21.
• Ollie Davies vs Hobart Hurricanes: 7 inns, 179 runs, avg. 25.57, SR 134.59.
• Reece Topley in all T20s this year: 17 inns, 13 wickets, avg. 37.7, econ. 9.33.
• Nathan McAndrew vs Mitch Owen in T20s: 10 balls, 26 runs, no dismissal.
• Nathan McAndrew vs Ben McDermott in T20s: 41 balls, 62 runs, two dismissals.
• Daniel Sams vs Ben McDermott in T20s: 75 balls, 108 runs, three dismissals.
• Riley Meredith vs Nic Maddinson in T20s: 11 balls, 22 runs, two dismissals.

BBL 2025/26 3rd Match: HUR vs THU Dream11 Prediction Today

Note: The below teams are not based on the final playing XIs. We may not be able to update these in time. Use the stats and commentary in this article, as well as your own instincts, to create your teams. 

Option 1:

Option 2:

BBL 2025/26 3rd Match: HUR vs THU Match Prediction – Who will win?

Hurricanes to win.

Disclaimer: The fantasy cricket stats, tips and predictions provided on CricBlog are intended for informational purposes for Dream11 free contests in line with the Promotion and Regulation of Online Gaming Bill, 2025. The stats and writer’s views are in place to guide fans in creating their teams. While we strive to offer accurate and insightful advice, CricBlog does not guarantee success or winnings in any fantasy contests. Users are encouraged to make their own informed decisions and play responsibly.

All statistics and matchups in this article have been verified by ESPNcricinfo, Bigbashboard and Cricmetric.