Sydney Sixers (SYS) will take on Hobart Hurricanes (HBH) in the Challenger match at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney, tomorrow, January 23, 2026. It’s a do-or-die situation for both teams. The winners will go directly to the final against Perth Scorchers, while the losers will be eliminated from the tournament. Both teams look strong heading into this clash. The Sixers have the advantage of playing at home, but they’ll miss leading opener Steven Smith, who replaces Babar Azam for this Challenger match. Good news for the Hurricanes—captain Nathan Ellis returns for this match. Let’s Break down with expert analysis, betting insights, team performance, pitch report, and BBL Challenger game between SYS vs HBH match prediction. Who will win today’s match?
Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes | Challenger Match
Series: Big Bash League 2025-26
Date: 23 January 2026
Time: 7:15 PM LOCAL, 8:15 AM GMT, 1:45 PM IST
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney
Live Streaming: Jio Hotstar & Star Sports Network
Team Performance
Sydney Sixers: Team Preview & Performance
The Sixers finished second in the group stage and were looking pretty good going into the playoffs. Then Perth Scorchers absolutely hammered them in the Qualifier—lost by 48 runs. They’ve still got the Challenger to get through to the final, but that batting needs work after getting rolled for 99.
Josh Philippe’s been their main guy with the bat—253 runs in 10 games, averaging 25.30 and striking at about 145. He’s basically been holding the top order together while everyone else has been up and down.
Babar’s scored 202 runs in 11 matches, but his strike rate of 104 has been a bit slow at times. The positive is Steven Smith—he’s come in and smashed 210 runs in just 4 games, striking at 172. But Babar Azam to miss the miss Friday’s do-or-die BBL 15 Challenger match PCB called him immediate for national duty.
The bowlers have been pretty good overall. Jack Edwards has taken 17 wickets, though he’s going at nearly 8 an over. Joel Davies and Ben Dwarshuis have picked up 25 wickets between them. And then there’s Mitchell Starc—when he gets it right with the new ball, he can blow teams away early.
Hobart Hurricanes: Team Preview & Recent Performance
Hobart Hurricanes scraped past the Stars in the Challenger—won by just 3 runs. They’ve been a bit hit-and-miss recently, but when this team clicks, they’re dangerous. That close win should boost their confidence going into the Challenger.
The batting’s got plenty of firepower. Mitch Owen and Nikhil Chaudhary usually get them off to decent starts, with Chaudhary leading the way—he’s scored 303 runs in 10 matches at a strike rate of 155.
Ben McDermott’s been rock solid too, notching up 282 runs from 10 games and striking at 133. He partners well with Tim Ward in the middle, who’s added 187 runs at around 135 strike rate this season.
The bowling’s been doing the job as well. Riley Meredith’s grabbed 11 wickets, though he’s been a touch expensive at 9.19 per over. Chris Jordan’s been tight at the death, making it hard for batters to score freely.
Rishad Hossain handles the spin—13 wickets at 7.77 runs each, and he’s won them a few games along the way. Having all these different options means they can adapt to whatever wicket they get.
For tomorrow’s Challenger, captain Nathan Ellis is back after missing the Challenger with a hamstring niggle. Charlie Wakim drops out to make room for him.
BBL 15 BKT Golden Bat – Most Runs
BBL 15 BKT Golden Arm – Most Wickets
SYS vs HBH – Probable Playing XI (BBL Challenger Match 2026)
Sydney Sixers Playing XI: Josh Philippe (wk), Daniel Hughes, Steven Smith, Moises Henriques (c), Jordan Silk, Sam Curran, Jack Edwards, Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Todd Murphy, Mitchell Starc
Hobart Hurricanes Playing XI: Matt Wade (wk), Ben McDermott, Tim Ward, Beau Webster, Mitch Owen, Nikhil Chaudhary, Chris Jordan, Nathan Ellis (c), Riley Meredith, Billy Stanlake, Jackson Bird
SYS vs HBH Challenger Match Weather Condition:
- Temperature: 16-22°C
- Humidity: 42%
- Rain: 0% Rain of chance
- Wind direction: NNE
- Wind speed: 9.4KPH
Also, check live BBL match betting odds on trusted cricket betting sites.
Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes Match Pitch Report & Condition
The SCG pitch for tomorrow’s BBL Challenger (January 23, 2026) should offer something for both batters and bowlers. The ground’s always been known for helping spinners, but this season the drop-in pitches have given the pace bowlers decent carry early on. If batters can get through that tricky first phase, runs come a bit easier once they’re set. Teams have been scoring around 180 lately.
As for the toss, chasing’s been the way to go at the SCG this season. Teams bowling first have won the last eight matches involving the Sixers, so whoever wins the toss will almost certainly bowl first.
BBL match Prediction: Team bowling first are favourites to win today’s BBL Challenger Match 2026.
Sydney Sixers vs Hobart Hurricanes | BBL Challenger Match Prediction
Scenario 1
Match toss prediction: Hobart Hurricanes to win the toss and opt to bowl first
Sydney Sixers scores: 160–170
Who will win today’s match: Hobart Hurricanes to win today’s BBL Challenger Match 2026
Scenario 2
Match toss prediction: Sydney Sixers to win the toss and opt to bowl first
Hobart Hurricanes scores: 175–185
Who will win today’s match: Sydney Sixers to win today’s BBL Challenger Match 2026
Today Match Winning Percentage
Stay updated with our BBL 15 Final match prediction for the latest squad updates, playing XI, and pitch report. This match will decide who faces Perth Scorchers in the final.
BBL Betting Insights for SYS vs HBH BBL Challenger Match 2026
- Who will win the toss Today: HBH to win the toss and elect to Bowl first.
- Top Batter Performance: Ben McDermott
- Top Bowler Performance: Mitchell Starc
- Today’s BBL betting tips: Team bowling first are safe bet to play today’s BBL Challenger match 2026.