The Big Bash League 2025–26 (BBL) action rolls on as Hobart Hurricanes (HUR) lock horns with Sydney Thunder (THU) in Match No. 3 of the tournament. The clash is scheduled to take place at the iconic Bellerive Oval in Hobart on Tuesday, December 16.
This encounter marks the opening fixture of the season for both sides, adding extra intrigue to the contest. With fresh squads, renewed momentum, and early points up for grabs, Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder will be eager to set the tone for their BBL 2025–26 campaign with a strong start.
Read The Betting Professionals’ expert analysis for the 3rd Match of BBL 2025-26 between Melbourne Renegades vs Brisbane Heat, including top cricket betting sites and predictions.
Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder (HUR vs THU) Match Details, 3rd Match - BBL 2025-26
Series | Big Bash League 2025-26 |
Series Match No | 3rd Match |
Format | T20 |
Match Date | 16th December 2025 |
Match Time | `04:15 PM (Local)/01:45 AM IST |
Venue | Bellerive Oval, Hobart |
Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder (HUR vs THU) Match Preview, 3rd Match - BBL 2025-26
Hobart Hurricanes Preview
Hobart Hurricanes enter the Big Bash League as the defending champions, having defeated Sydney Thunder by seven wickets in the final of the previous edition. Carrying that winning momentum forward, the Hurricanes look well-equipped for another strong campaign.
In BBL 2024–25, Mitchell Owen led the batting charts for Hobart Hurricanes with an impressive 452 runs, while Riley Meredith spearheaded the bowling attack, finishing as the team’s leading wicket-taker with 16 scalps.
On paper, the Hurricanes once again boast a formidable squad. The presence of explosive batters such as Tim David, Mitchell Owen, and Matthew Wade adds serious firepower, while the bowling unit looks well-balanced with the pace and control of Nathan Ellis, alongside the spin options of Rishad Hossain and Rehan Ahmed.
Given their depth and recent success, Hobart Hurricanes are strong contenders to reach the playoffs comfortably.
Hobart Hurricanes Predicted XI
Mitch Owen, Tim Ward, Nikhil Chaudhary, Ben McDermott, Tim David, Matthew Wade (wk), Rehan Ahmed, Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis (c), Riley Meredith, Rishad Hossain
Players to Watch
Nathan Ellis – The Hurricanes’ go-to strike bowler, capable of delivering early breakthroughs and applying sustained pressure with the new ball and at the death.
Mitchell Owen – The standout performer of the previous season, Owen’s match-winning ability makes him a key figure once again. He remains one of Australia’s most dangerous T20 batters and is expected to lead the run-scoring charts for Hobart Hurricanes in the upcoming games.
Sydney Thunder Preview
Sydney Thunder enjoyed an impressive run in the previous edition of the Big Bash League, finishing as runners-up after reaching the final. However, their campaign ended in disappointment as they were beaten by Hobart Hurricanes by seven wickets in the title clash.
Veteran opener David Warner was the backbone of Thunder’s batting last season, finishing as their leading run-scorer with 405 runs, while skipper Chris Green led the bowling charts with 12 wickets.
Heading into the new season, Sydney Thunder boast a squad packed with experience and leadership, but questions remain over their ability to produce consistent match-winning moments — the crucial X-factor needed to go all the way.
Sydney Thunder Predicted XI
David Warner (c), Sam Konstas, Cameron Bancroft, Ollie Davies, Sam Billings (wk), Chris Green, Nathan McAndrew, Ryan Hadley, Reece Topley, Tanveer Sangha, Shadab Khan/ Tom Andrews
Players to Watch
Sam Konstas – A fearless batter with an expansive range of strokes, Konstas will be entrusted with providing aggressive starts and setting the tone at the top of the order.
Lockie Ferguson – Known for his raw pace and clever variations, Ferguson adds genuine threat to the Thunder’s bowling attack and is expected to be among the wickets throughout the tournament.
Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder (HUR vs THU) Head to Head
Hobart Hurricanes and Sydney Thunder have faced each other 22 times in the Big Bash League so far, with the Hurricanes holding a clear edge in the head-to-head record. Hobart Hurricanes have won 14 matches, while Sydney Thunder have emerged victorious on eight occasions, with no games ending in a tie or no result.
Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder (HUR vs THU) Pitch Report, 3rd Match - BBL 2025-26
Traditionally, the Bellerive Oval surface has been a challenging venue for batters, especially early in the innings. The pitch offers assistance to pacers with the new ball, making the powerplay phase tricky for run-scoring. However, once the ball softens, the wicket tends to play truer, allowing batters to settle in and score more freely beyond the powerplay.
Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder (HUR vs THU) Betting Odds
For Match 3 of the BBL 2025–26, 1xBet has positioned Hobart Hurricanes as the favourites with odds of 1.55, while Sydney Thunder head into the contest as underdogs at 2.48.
Hobart Hurricanes vs Sydney Thunder Win Probability
Google’s prediction model gives Hobart Hurricanes a slight edge, assigning them a 62% chance of victory in Match 3 of the BBL 2025–26, while Sydney Thunder are backed with a 38% probability of pulling off an upset.
Guide for Best Welcome Bonus Websites: Best signup bonus offers on Betting Sites
For Instant Deposits and UPI Withdrawals: Top UPI betting sites
For Proper Entries and Live Betting: Join our Telegram channel
