Sixers Crush Thunder by 47 Runs in BBL Derby

Sydney, Australia – Josh Philippe's explosive 96 not out propelled the Sydney Sixers to a commanding 47-run victory over rivals the Sydney Thunder in the seventh match of the Big Bash League 2025-26 season on Saturday at the Sydney Showground Stadium.

Batting first after the Thunder won the toss and opted to field, the Sixers posted 198 for five in their 20 overs on a batter-friendly pitch. Philippe, batting at number three, anchored the innings with a brisk 57-ball knock featuring six fours and four sixes. His 140-run second-wicket partnership with opener Babar Azam, who scored 58 off 42 balls, laid the foundation after an early wicket fell to Thunder seamer Reece Topley.

Azam, a high-profile signing for the Sixers this season, found form after struggling in his previous outings. He reached his half-century with a single off Nathan McAndrew during the power surge before gloving a delivery from Topley to wicketkeeper Sam Billings, a dismissal confirmed on review. Philippe, denied a maiden Big Bash century in his 104th match, fell four runs short when he edged McAndrew to backward point, where Daniel Sams took a catch upheld by the third umpire despite replays showing some...