Last Updated on 3 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Sunday’s BBL double header kicks off with a blockbuster at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Two in-form teams meet in what could very well be a preview of a semi-final or final later this month.

Defending champions Hobart Hurricanes sit pretty atop the BBL table with six wins out of eight matches. They dismantled Adelaide Strikers two nights ago, defending a par score of 177 with ease thanks to magnificent powerplay bowling.

They will need a similar effort against a very deep Sydney Sixers batting lineup. It now goes up another level with Steve Smith available. The great batsman has an outstanding record in the BBL and will be looking to make the perfect start here.

BBL 2025/26 31st Match: SIX vs HUR Possible Playing XIs

Steve Smith will likely open with Babar Azam.

Sydney Sixers: 1. Steve Smith, 2. Babar Azam (OS), 3. Josh Philippe (wk), 4. Moises Henriques (c), 5. Sam Curran (OS), 6. Jordan Silk, 7. Jack Edwards, 8. Joel Davies, 9. Ben Dwarshuis, 10. Ben Manenti/Todd Murphy, 11. Sean Abbott

Beau Webster returns for Hobart Hurricanes and is in the squad. Nathan Ellis is out of this match as he is being managed.

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

SCG Pitch Report and Weather

Sydney Sixers struggled batting first at the SCG earlier this season. They scored 159/9 and 144 and lost both times on December 17 and December 26. However, their batting has improved since.

In the two BBL 2025/26 games at the SCG, pace bowlers took 21 wickets at an average of 22.90 and economy of 8.22. Spinners picked up seven wickets at an average of 16.71 and economy of 6.50.

This afternoon game could result in spin being a strong factor, especially given there was plenty of traffic on the square in the recent fifth Ashes Test. However, there is a chance of showers which can interrupt this match.

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

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Josh Philippe has 1,074 T20 runs at an average of 31.6 and strike rate of 139.1 at the SCG.

Key batter picks:

• Steve Smith is a strong captaincy candidate in fantasy cricket. He is an outstanding performer in the BBL, with 1,199 runs at an average of 46.1 and strike rate of 147.1. This includes three centuries in nine innings since the start of 2023.
• Nikhil Chaudhary has the fifth-most runs in BBL 2025/26 (263) at an average of 37.57 and strike rate of 157.48.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Mitch Owen has smashed 45 (18) and 33 (9) in his last two innings. He also strikes at 215.63 in two matches against Sydney Sixers (69 runs).
• Jack Edwards has 14 wickets in seven matches this season at an average of 13.50 and strike rate of 11.14.
• Joel Davies is having a season to remember. The left-arm spinner has 10 wickets at a magnificent economy rate of 5.15.

Key bowler picks:

• Sean Abbott has a magnificent record at the SCG. He has 80 BBL wickets at an average of 16.2 and strike rate of 11.9. Abbott also has 18 wickets in 11 innings against the Hurricanes.
• Ben Dwarshuis took 4/13 in the last game against the Stars. He has 15 wickets in 12 innings against Hurricanes (avg. 25.27, econ. 8.65) and 47 BBL wickets at the SCG (avg. 23.8, SR 18).

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Sam Curran was player of the match in the recent ILT20 final. He had a tough first outing in the BBL against Melbourne Stars, but he still offers fantasy value.
• Chris Jordan has just one wicket in his past five matches. He bowls in the death overs and fields in the hotspot positions, so he can be worth a pick.
• Beau Webster batted at three in his previous appearance for the Hurricanes this seasonn (27 off 20 balls).
• Ben McDermott averages 20.60 in 10 innings against the Sixers without a fifty. He will be looking to turn this around.
• Rishad Hossain has 11 wickets in eight matches this season. Conditions at the SCG should suit his bowling.
• Babar Azam has been short of runs this season but can enjoy the easy-paced conditions at the SCG.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 21, Sixers 9, Hurricanes 11, N/R 1.
• At SCG: Sixers 4, Hurricanes 3.
• Steve Smith in BBL matches at the SCG: 14 inns, 630 runs, avg. 70.00, SR 157.1, four fifties, two centuries.
• Josh Philippe against the Hurricanes legspinners could be an interesting matchup. Since 2018, Philippe has a solid record against legspin in the BBL with 517 runs at an average of 32.3 and strike rate of 161.6.
• Ben Dwarshuis vs Mitch Owen: 12 balls, 28 runs, no dismissal.
• Sean Abbott vs Ben McDermott: 39 balls, 46 runs, two dismissals.
• Sean Abbott vs Matthew Wade: 35 balls, 52 runs, three dismissals.

BBL 2025/26 31st Match: SIX vs HUR 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 31st Match: SIX vs HUR Match Prediction – Who will win?

Sydney Sixers to win with no Nathan Ellis for the Hurricanes.

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.