Sydney Sixers will face Hobart Hurricanes in the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26 (BBL 2025-26) challenger. This article provides detailed information on SYS vs HBH Challenger preview, live streaming, pitch and weather report, head-to-head statistics and records for this particular match.
Hobart Hurricanes will be looking to reach the final of the ongoing edition of the Big Bash League with a win against Sydney Sixers.
Like Hobart Hurricanes, their rivals, Sydney Sixers will also hope to book their place in the BBL 15 final by winning the Challenger.
SYS vs HBH Match Preview – Challenger BBL 2025-26:
Date and Place:
SYS vs HBH Challenger will be played on Friday, January 23, 2026 at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney. The Challenger will start at 1:45 pm Indian time.
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Squad:
Hobart Hurricane:
Jackson Bird, Nikhil Chaudhary, Nathan Ellis (captain), Rishad Hussain, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Will Prestwitz, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Tim Ward, Beau Webster, Mac Wright
Sydney Sixers:
Sydney Sixers: Sean Abbott, Joel Davis, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Moises Henriques (captain), Daniel Hughes, Hayden Kerr, Ben Manenti, Mitch Perry, Josh Philippe, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk, Steve Smith, Mitchell Starc.
SYS vs HBH Probable XI:
Hobart Hurricanes Playing XI:
Tim Ward, Mitchell Owen, Beau Webster, Ben McDermott, Nikhil Chaudhary, Matthew Wade (wk), Chris Jordan, Rishad Hussain, Nathan Ellis (c), Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake
Sydney Sixers playing XI:
Steve Smith, Josh Philippe (wk), Daniel Hughes, Moises Henriques (c), Lachlan Shaw, Jack Edwards, Joel Davis, Ben Dwarshuis, Sean Abbott, Mitchell Starc, Ben Manenti.
SYS vs HBH Major Battle:
Nikhil Chaudhary vs Jack Edwards
Hobart Hurricanes have a genuine match-winner in Nikhil Chaudhary, who has been in sensational form in the ongoing Big Bash League 2025-26. He brings the right mix of calm thinking and explosive hitting, which makes him extremely valuable in pressure situations.
Nikhil has already scored 300 runs in 11 matches at an impressive strike rate of over 155 and will look to continue his form in the BBL Challenger against Sydney Sixers to seal the final spot.
Jack Edwards has been the standout bowler for the Sixers in the current BBL 15, taking 17 wickets in 38 overs this season. In the Challenger, the battle between the top players from both the sides will affect the outcome of the game and will thrill the SCG fans.
Ben McDermott vs. Joel Davis
Ben McDermott brings stability and experience to the Hurricanes’ batting lineup. McDermott has so far scored 282 runs in 11 matches at a good strike rate of over 133. His battle against Sixers bowler Joel Davis in the BBL 2025-26 Challenger will be interesting.
Davis has been one of the standout bowlers for Sydney Sixers with 12 wickets in 11 matches, and the team will be hoping that their left-arm spinner can trouble McDermott and the Hurricanes batsmen in the middle overs to give them the best chance of sealing a place in the BBL 15 final.
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Josh Philippe vs Rishad Hussain
The Challenger game could also depend on the battle between Josh Philippe and Rishad Hussain. Phillip wants to attack from the very first ball so that immediate pressure can be put on the bowlers.
In knockout matches, this fearless approach can change the game quickly. Even with a modest score of 253 runs in 11 matches, the Sixers wicketkeeper-batsman has a strike rate of 145.40, making him a serious threat if he scores runs early.
On the other hand, Rishad Hussain has been a standout bowler with the ball for the Hurricanes in this Big Bash League season. The spinner has taken 13 wickets in 9 matches at an economy rate of 7.52. Hussain’s fight with Philip will be interesting for the fans at the Challenger.
steve smith vs nathan ellis
Steve Smith has been the most dangerous batsman for the Sixers this season, and his battle with Hurricanes captain Nathan Ellis could decide the challenger. Smith has scored 173 runs in just three innings at an explosive strike rate of 176.53 and an average of 86.5, which includes one century and one half-century.
The Australian superstar’s ability to score quickly without losing control makes him a major threat at the top for the Hurricanes. On the other hand, Nathan Ellis is all set to lead the bowling attack against the Sixers in the Challenger after missing the knockout due to a hamstring problem.
With 14 wickets at an average of 21.28 and an economy of 9.03, Ellis, who bowls at all stages of the game, has been their most reliable wicket-taker this season.
SYS vs HBH Key Players:
sys – Steve Smith, Josh Philippe, Jack Edwards, Mitchell Starc, Joel Davis, Ben Dwarshuis
HBH – Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben McDermott, Rishad Hussain, Nathan Ellis, Matthew Wade
SYS vs HBH Free Live Streaming, Live Telecast Qualifiers in India, BBL 2025-26:
TV rights in India
Star Sports holds the broadcasting rights of the Big Bash League in India. The SYS vs HBH game will be telecast on Star Sports 1 and Star Sports 2.
Live Streaming Platforms in India:
The match between Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers will be live-streamed on Jio Hotstar app and website. Indian cricket fans will have to pay a subscription fee to watch matches online.
When will the match happen?
The game will take place on January 23. It will start at 1:45 pm Indian time.
Where will the match be played?
The Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Sixers match will be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), Sydney.
How to watch SYS vs HBH Challenger live telecast on television?
SYS vs HBH Challenger will be telecasted on Star Sports Network in India.
How to live stream the match between Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers online on mobile?
Jio Hotstar will live-stream the upcoming Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Sixers challenger in India. People can watch the match on their mobile, laptop and connected TV.
SYS vs HBH Weather Report, SCG Challenger Pitch Report, Big Bash League 2025-26:
SYS vs HBH Sydney Weather Report:
There is no threat of rain for the SYS vs HBH Challenger in Sydney on January 23. Sydney will have partly sunny and pleasant conditions, with a light breeze expected during the afternoon on Friday.
The maximum temperature is expected to be 24°C, while the minimum is expected to be 17°C.
SCG’s SYS vs HBH pitch report:
The Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) is known to offer something to both batsmen and bowlers. As the ball moves off the pitch, the fast bowlers get help, making the first few overs challenging for the batsmen. Once players settle in, scoring becomes easier, and the boundaries start to flow.
As the match progresses, spinners hold on and play an important role in the middle overs. A score close to 170 usually puts the batting team in a strong position, whereas if early wickets are lost at this venue it can become difficult to chase in lights.
SCG has hosted 80 BBL matches so far, and 220 runs was the highest score made here, while 36 runs was the lowest score.
SYS vs HBH Head-to-Head Records—Challenger, BBL 2025-26:
| statistics | Matchbox | HBH won | sys won | Drag | Tied up | N.R. |
| overall | 22 | 11 | 9 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| at Sydney Cricket Ground | 9 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| in the last 5 matches | 5 | 2 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
SYS vs HBH Head-to-Head Records – Key Statistics
An exciting and high-pressure match is set as Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes prepare to face each other for a place in the Big Bash League final. With a tough contest between the two teams, the challenger at the SCG promises to be an exciting encounter.
The two sides have clashed 22 times in the history of BBL. The Hurricanes have a slight lead with 11 wins, while the Sixers have won 9 matches in their rivalry. The two games between them ended in ties. The SCG record is clearly in the Hurricanes’ favour, giving them extra confidence over the challenger.
Both teams are in good form, but the Sixers will be looking to bounce back after a heavy defeat to Perth Scorchers in the qualifiers. In contrast, the Hurricanes arrived at full speed after a dominant win over the Melbourne Stars in the knockouts to set up a Challenger date with the Sixers.
SYS vs HBH Head-to-Head Records: Last 5 Matches
Sydney Sixers and Hobart Hurricanes have won two of the last five Big Bash League matches played between them in the Big Bash League.
SYS vs HBH Head-to-Head Records- Results of Last 5 BBL Games:
No result at SCG
Hobart Hurricanes won by 12 runs
Hobart Hurricanes won by 50 runs
Sydney Sixers won by 6 wickets
Sydney Sixers won by 24 runs
conclusion:
Both the teams will put their full efforts in this challenging match. They will aim to give their best performance with bat, ball and in the field to reach the BBL 2025-26 final. The winning team will advance to the title match, while the losing team’s journey will end at the SCG on Friday.