Sydney Cricket Floor (SCG) changed into a theater of brilliance on January 16, 2026, because the thirty seventh match of BBL 15 introduced the town to a standstill. In a high-stakes Sydney Derby, the Sydney Sixers invited the Sydney Thunder to bat first in a conflict brimming with narrative weight—the return of Mitchell Starc to the Large Bash after an eleven-year hiatus and David Warner’s relentless pursuit of the Golden Bat. Whereas the competition was billed as a battle of heavyweights, it was a second of sheer acrobatic genius from Sixers captain Moises Henriques that stole the early headlines.
Moises Henriques pulls off a sensational catch to dismiss Matthew Gilkes
The breakthrough got here within the sixth over, simply because the Thunder have been starting to look harmful. Mitchell Starc, steaming in for his second over, delivered a wobble-seam ball on a nagging fourth-stump line. Matthew Gilkes, seeking to exploit the ultimate over of the Powerplay, tried to loft the ball inside-out over the off-side.
Gilkes didn’t fairly get the center of the bat, slicing the supply towards broad mid-off. It regarded destined to fall within the hole, however Henriques had different plans. Monitoring the ball with predatory focus, Henriques launched right into a full-length horizontal dive to his proper. He plucked the ball inches from the turf, sustaining his grip at the same time as he slammed into the SCG turf. The dismissal (12 off 12 balls) gave Starc his first BBL wicket in over a decade and despatched the magenta trustworthy right into a frenzy. It was a blinder in each sense of the phrase, proving that at 38, the Sixers’ skipper nonetheless possesses the reflexes of a young person.
Right here’s the video:
There it’s!
Mitch Starc grabs his first Large Bash wicket in 11 seasons. #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/fiqTzZ3DID
— KFC Large Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
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Sydney Thunder purpose for formidable complete regardless of top-order stutter in BBL|15 sport
Regardless of dropping Gilkes to that sensational catch, the Sydney Thunder confirmed no indicators of slowing down their aggressive intent. Led by a classic David Warner, the lads in lime inexperienced reached 83/2 on the 10-over drinks break, trying well-positioned to launch within the again half of the innings.
The match move favored the Thunder early on, with the opening pair placing on a speedy 50-run stand in simply 25 balls. Warner was the first aggressor, smashing a wide ranging half-century off solely 25 deliveries, together with eight boundaries and a towering six. His dominance ensured the Thunder capitalized on the Powerplay, racing to 49/0 within the first 4 overs.
Whereas Jack Edwards managed to take away the younger Sam Konstas (6 off 11) shortly earlier than the break, the presence of Sam Billings alongside the settled Warner suggests the Thunder are eyeing a goal north of 170. With Starc returning figures of 1/27 and Sean Abbott holding it tight, the Sixers will want extra Henriques-esque brilliance within the subject to limit their crosstown rivals on this flat SCG deck.
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