Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes will face each other in the Challenger of the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) on January 20 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on Friday, 23 January 2026, at 01:45 PM IST.
The winner of the BBL Challenger will qualify for the finals, while the loser’s campaign will end effectively on Friday at the SCG. This article provides details about the Playing 11 of the Hobart Hurricanes and the Sydney Sixers for the upcoming Challenger match.
Sydney Sixers Playing XI vs Hobart Hurricanes – Challenger, BBL 2025-26:
Openers: Daniel Hughes, Steve Smith
This will be a do-or-die game for both teams, and the Sydney Sixers will not let their second chance slip to make it to the BBL 2025-26 Final, having suffered a crushing defeat in the Qualifier against the Perth Scorchers. Daniel Hughes is making a comeback after Babar Azam was released for Pakistan duty.
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Babar had been miserable at the top, and now, with a fresh opening pair of in-form Australian batting icon Steve Smith and Daniel Hughes, the Sydney Sixers will aim to have a quick and emphatic start against the Hobart Hurricanes in the Big Bash League 2025-26 Challenger.
Smith will be the Sixers’ biggest asset, as he has already mustered 173 runs in just three at a strike rate of 176.53, and he would love to extend his sublime form against the Hurricanes as well. On the other hand, Hughes, who scored 141 runs in 6 games this season, will aim to contribute big on his return.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Josh Philippe (wk), Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Lachlan Shaw, Jack Edwards
Josh Philippe, who has so far amassed 253 runs in 11 games, will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders. Apart from his wicketkeeping, the Sixers would love to see Philippe’s fearless hitting at the crucial number three against the Hurricanes in the Challenger.
The Sydney Sixers captain and star all-rounder Moises Henriques and Lachlan Shaw will strengthen the middle order for the Sydney Sixers. Jordan Silk will be expected to step up in the middle order as the Sixers aim to book the ticket to the BBL 15 Final.
Well, Jack Edwards has been a sensation with the ball, taking 17 wickets in 11 games, but in the Challenger, the all-rounder is expected to contribute with the bat as well for the Sixers, having played some impressive knocks earlier in the tournament.
Bowlers: Joel Davies, Mitchell Starc, Ben Manenti, Ben Dwarshuis
Ben Manenti and Joel Davies will lead the Sixers’ spin attack in the BBL Challenger against Hobart at the SCG, where Smith is likely to roll his arm as well. Mitchell Starc and Ben Dwarshuis will take care of the pace bowling department in the crucial game.
Since the SCG is spin-friendly, the Sixers bowlers need to strike and get the wicket early to put pressure on the Men in Purple to make a strong case for the BBL 2025-26 final.
Hobart Hurricanes Playing XI vs Sydney Sixers – Challenger, BBL 2025-26:
Openers: Mitchell Owen, Tim Ward
Hobart Hurricanes openers Tim Ward and Mitchell Owen both have not been consistent in this Big Bash League season, but now with the final spot at stake, they are expected to step up and provide good starts against the Sixers in the Challenger at the SCG. Both openers have over 150 runs so far.
Middle-order batsmen and all-rounders: Beau Webster, Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, and Matthew Wade (WK)
Australian all-rounder Beau Webster and senior wicketkeeper Matthew Wade are expected to play bigger roles for Hobart in this crucial game. Webster, who bowls both off-spin and pace, has been in sensational form with the bat, and he will aim to extend his form in the Challenger.
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The left-handed Wade must also step up with the bat, while Ben McDermott and Nikhil Chaudhary have already been standout performers for the Hurricanes, and all eyes will be on the duo in the BBL Challenger. While McDermott has over 280 runs, Chaudhary has been sensational with the bat, scoring over 300 runs so far in the tournament.
Since the SCG surface is expected to assist the spinners, the Australian leg-spinner is expected to play a crucial role against the Sixers. Tim Ward’s off-spin can also be used by the Hurricanes, the title winners of the 2024-25 season.
Bowlers: Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis, Billy Stanlake, Rishad Hossain, Riley Meredith
Captain Nathan Ellis will lead the pace attack featuring Billy Stanlake, Riley Meredith, and Chris Jordan, while Rishad Hossain will take care of the spin department. Ellis, who has already scalped 14 wickets at an average of 21.28 and an economy of 9.03 in 9 games, will play a key role against the Sixers.
Hossain (13 wickets in 11 games) is expected to make the most of the SCG surface to trouble the batters and provide early breakthroughs to the Hurricanes. Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, and Chris Jordan provide variety to the pace attack. However, Hobart needs Stanlake to step up and deliver in this crucial game as they aim for their fourth BBL Final appearance.
