Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Sydney Thunder are officially in must-win territory. Last year’s finalists sit bottom of the BBL 2025/26 table after six matches, and have a terrible net run rate of -1.429. They are currently four points outside the top four, and desperately need a win to keep their season alive.

It won’t be easy against an Adelaide Strikers team also searching for a win. They are currently sixth on the table but have a game in hand on fourth-placed Sydney Sixers. Matt Short’s team missed an opportunity in Perth a few nights ago, collapsing in a heap in their run chase of 154.

On New Years’ Eve, however, they thumped the Brisbane Heat on the back of their bowling, and they will be looking to do the same here. David Warner is the key player after the Thunder captain hit a magnificent 130* in the last match. Also, the Strikers’ batters have an opportunity to perform as the Thunder attack is firing blanks.

BBL 2025/26 25th Match: STR vs THU Possible Playing XIs

Hassan Ali is back in the Adelaide Strikers squad, in place of Tabraiz Shamsi. Strikers may be tempted to play Henry Thornton who has 10 wickets in five matches against Sydney Thunder at an average of 9.5.

Adelaide Strikers: 1. Matt Short (c), 2. Chris Lynn, 3. Mackenzie Harvey (wk), 4. Jason Sangha/Alex Ross, 5. Liam Scott, 6. Harry Manenti, 7. Jamie Overton (OS), 8. Jerssis Wadia, 9. Luke Wood (OS), 10. Hassan Ali (OS), 11. Lloyd Pope

David Willey has been named as Shadab Khan’s international replacement player. He is in the squad and will slot in the XI in place of Shadab, who will feature in Pakistan’s upcoming T20I series against Sri Lanka.

Sydney Thunder: 1. Matthew Gilkes, 2. David Warner (c), 3. Sam Konstas, 4. Sam Billings (OS, wk), 5. Nic Maddinson, 6. Daniel Sams, 7. David Willey (OS), 8. Chris Green, 9. Nathan McAndrew, 10. Tom Andrews/Tanveer Sangha, 11. Wes Agar/Ryan Hadley

Adelaide Oval Pitch Report and Weather

Teams batting first have managed scores of 155/8 and 121 batting first in BBL 2025/26. The chasing team won both.

The pace bowlers have enjoyed proceedings at the Adelaide Oval this season. They have picked up 22 wickets at an average of 16.73 and economy of 7.22. Spinners have picked up just two wickets at an average of 91.00 and economy of 8.67.

A warm and clear evening is forecast. Expect the team who wins the toss to bowl first.

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

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Matt Gilkes opens the batting and is the best wicket-keeper pick as a result, especially as Sam Billings is struggling for form. Gilkes has a score of 93 against the Strikers, but just 34 runs in the remaining six innings.

Key batter picks:

• Chris Lynn has plenty of past success against Sydney Thunder. He has 669 runs at an average of 39.35 and strike rate of 160.05. Lynn also has a number of good matchups (49 off 29 balls against Nathan McAndrew with one dismissal, 47 runs off 31 balls against Daniel Sams with one dismissal).
• David Warner is fresh off an outstanding 130* against the Hobart Hurricanes. Warner enjoys batting at the Adelaide Oval in T20s: 5 inns, 194 runs, avg. 48.5, SR 149.2.

Top all-rounder picks:

• This is a great opportunity for Matt Short against a struggling Thunder attack. He has 339 runs against the Thunder at an average of 28.25 and strike rate of 143.64.
• Daniel Sams has been expensive this season (econ. 10.25) but has been in the wickets (seven scalps in his last two matches). Sams also has 18 wickets in 13 innings against the Strikers.
• Liam Scott is getting more overs under his belt. Two matches ago on this ground, Scott won man of the match for his spell of 2/12. He also bats in the top five.
• Jamie Overton has seven wickets in three innings against the Thunder (avg. 11.86, econ. 7.55). He also has 15 wickets at the Adelaide Oval (avg. 22.5, SR 16).

Key bowler picks:

• Luke Wood has been excellent in the powerplay this season, taking three wickets at an economy of 7.88 in this period. He has a good record against David Warner in all T20s, dismissing him twice for 24 runs in 28 balls.
• Since the start of 2025, Hassan Ali has taken 60 T20 wickets at an average of 17.8 and strike rate of 11.7.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Lloyd Pope has bowled nicely this season, but keep in mind he has found it more difficult at Adelaide Oval this season, taking a total of 1/63 off seven overs.
• Sam Billings is key for the Thunder and needs to deliver. He has scored 191 runs against Strikers at an average of 27.29 and strike rate of 139.42.
• Sam Konstas has not reached any great heights so far in this tournament, but has the potential to do so. He is worth considering in some of your Dream11 teams.
• Mackenzie Harvey bats in the top three and can build fantasy points as he dons the wicket-keeping gloves.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 24, Strikers 12, Thunder 10, N/R 2.
• At Adelaide Oval: Strikers 5, Thunder 5.
• Nathan McAndrew against Adelaide Strikers: 10 inns, 5 wickets, avg. 58.40, econ. 9.42.
• David Willey took just two wickets in his last seven matches in the recent UAE ILT20. But, he has dismissed Matt Short twice in two deliveries in T20s.
• Jamie Overton vs Matt Gilkes: three balls, no runs, two wickets.
• Nathan McAndrew vs Matt Short in T20s: 29 balls, 41 runs, one wicket.
• Daniel Sams vs Matt Short in T20s: 40 balls, 74 runs, one wicket.
• Chris Green vs Chris Lynn in T20s: 44 balls, 66 runs, two wickets.
• David Willey vs Chris Lynn in T20s: 50 balls, 62 runs, one wicket.

BBL 2025/26 25th Match: STR 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 25th Match: STR vs THU Match Prediction – Who will win?

Strikers to win.

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