Last Updated on 4 months ago by Charbel Coorey

Sydney Thunder are in must-win territory. Last year’s finalists have won just one of their first five games and have been thrashed on multiple occasions, culminating in their terrible net run rate of -1.463.

The Thunder have been a mess. They’ve conceded big totals and have only got going with the bat once. Last time out, they reduced the Perth Scorchers to 34/3 in 5.3 overs, only to then concede 202/8 courtesy of an Ashton Turner classic.

Today, the Thunder desperately need an all-round performance and to hold their nerve in the pressure moments. It won’t be easy against defending champions Hobart Hurricanes, who are smarting from their own loss to Perth Scorchers.

The Hurricanes were on the wrong end of Mitchell Marsh and Aaron Hardie dominance. They will be aiming to bounce back today, and given the way the Thunder have been batting, Nathan Ellis’ team will fancy their chances.

BBL 2025/26 21st Match: THU vs HUR Possible Playing XIs

Nic Maddinson returns to the Thunder squad after recovering from a broken thumb and other health battles. He could make the XI as the Thunder batting is misfiring.

Shadab Khan is available for this match before he leaves for Pakistan’s T20I series against Sri Lanka. Reece Topley has left for the SA20.

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

The Hurricanes could stick with the same XI. One move they could make is playing the in-form Nikhil Chaudhary up the order.

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

ENGIE Stadium Sydney Showground Pitch Report and Weather

Batting first has proved fruitful at Sydney Showground this season. Sydney Sixers (198/5) and Perth Scorchers (202/8) enjoyed very comfortable victories against the struggling Sydney Thunder. In fact, teams batting first have won the past five games dating back to last season.

Pace bowlers have fared well on this ground in BBL 2025/26. They have picked up 25 wickets in the two games at an average of 15.76 and economy of 8.49. Spinners have taken just seven wickets so far at an average of 40.43 and economy of 9.43.

A partly cloudy evening is forecast with a top of 21 degrees from 7pm to 10:30pm local time. No rain is expected.

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

Top wicket-keeper picks:

• Ben McDermott has an excellent record against Sydney Thunder, with 493 runs at an average of 41.1 and strike rate of 141.3.

Key batter picks:

• It’s time for David Warner to deliver. The Thunder captain has scored 136 runs against the Hurricanes at an average of 68 and strike rate of 136.
• Nikhil Chaudhary is the third-highest run-scorer in BBL 2025/26 with 211 at an average of 35.16 and strike rate of 155.14.

Top all-rounder picks:

• Mitchell Owen has been out of form. But, he plays one of his favourite opponents today. He has smashed 163 runs at an average of 54.3 and strike rate of 232.9 against the Thunder, including a century in last season’s final.
• Daniel Sams continues to be inconsistent in his performances, but he does produce fantasy points with bat and ball. He has 17 wickets against the Hurricanes at an average of 23.8 and economy of 15.6.
• Shadab Khan is the Thunder’s third-highest run-scorer (104) and leading wicket-taker (7) this season. He has amassed 480 Dream11 points in BBL 2025/26.
• Chris Jordan bowls in the crunch overs and will fancy his chances against a misfiring, inconsistent Thunder lineup.

Key bowler picks:

• Nathan Ellis has taken 16 wickets against the Thunder at an average of 21.1 and strike rate of 15.8. He has dominant records against Sam Billings (four dismissals for 25 runs in 26 balls) and Matt Gilkes (three dismissals in five balls for one run).
• Rishad Hossain went wicketless against the Scorchers (0/35) but took eight wickets in his previous four matches.

Other Players to Consider for your Fantasy Cricket Teams

• Matthew Gilkes has notched up 345 Dream11 points this season. However, he has to overcome a terrible record against the Hurricanes: 9 inns, 100 runs, avg. 11.1, SR 140.8.
• Sam Billings remains one of the key Thunder players. In eight innings against the Hurricanes, he has 208 runs at an average of 29.7 and strike rate of 144.4.
• Riley Meredith has taken 14 wickets in 11 innings against the Thunder at an average of 26.9 and strike rate of 18.4.
• Sam Konstas is still searching for his most fluent batting with three 20+ scores in his last five matches. He is striking at just 115.74 this season.
• Nathan McAndrew has 17 wickets in 15 innings at Sydney Showground at an average of 22.8 and strike rate of 16.7.

Other Stats and Important Matchups

• Head-to-head: Matches 24, Thunder 8, Hurricanes 15, N/R 1.
• Sam Billings against legspin in all T20s in 2025: 16 inns, 116 runs, avg. 19.3, SR 150.6.
• David Warner BBL record at the Sydney Showground Stadium: 7 inns, 176 runs, avg. 35.2, SR 131.3.
• Nathan McAndrew vs Hobart Hurricanes: 10 inns, 8 wickets, avg. 33.4, SR 21.4.
• Daniel Sams vs Ben McDermott in all T20s: 75 balls, 109 runs, three wickets.
• Nathan Ellis vs David Warner: 42 balls, 70 runs, one wicket.
• Riley Meredith vs David Warner: 31 balls, 24 runs, one wicket.
• Nathan McAndrew vs Mitchell Owen: 10 balls, 26 runs, no wickets.
• Daniel Sams vs Mitchell Owen: 13 balls, 22 runs, no wickets.

BBL 2025/26 21st Match: THU 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 21st Match: THU vs HUR Match Prediction – Who will win?

Sydney Thunder will put an improved showing, but the Hobart Hurricanes should have too much quality.

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.