SYDNEY Thunder went from zero to hero in BBL|14, putting last season’s bottom-place finish behind them to make their first grand final appearance in nearly a decade. The resurgence under new captain David Warner had plenty of highs, including a drought-breaking Sydney Smash win in The Challenger.

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BY THE NUMBERS

H&A RECORD: 3rd | 5-3, 2 NR | 0.34 NRR
ELIMINATED: The Final vs. Hobart Hurricanes
MOST RUNS: David Warner | 405 @ 45.0 | 141.6 SR | 88* HS
MOST WICKETS: Chris Green | 12 @ 25.08 | 7.34 economy | 3-13 BB

RESULTS

Home-and-away:

WIN vs. Adelaide Strikers by 2 wickets
LOSS vs. Sydney Sixers by 5 wickets
WIN @ Melbourne Stars by 18 runs
WIN vs. Melbourne Renegades by 8 runs
WIN @ Perth Scorchers by 4 wickets
LOSS @ Brisbane Heat by 5 wickets
NR vs. Hobart Hurricanes
LOSS @ Hobart Hurricanes by 6 wickets
WIN vs. Perth Scorchers by 61 runs
NR @ Sydney Sixers

Finals:

Knockout: WIN @ Melbourne Stars by 21 runs
Challenger: WIN vs. Sydney Sixers by 4 wickets
Decider: LOSS vs. Hobart Hurricanes by 7 wickets

THE STORY

The Thunder made an instant impact on BBL|14, winning four of their first five games to quickly establish themselves as a genuine finals contender. A pair of losses and no results made up most of their last five outings, but the strong early work ensured two Sydney sides would feature in the top four. Having missed out on finals double chance to the Sixers, the men in green took the long road to the decider. They first snapped the Melbourne Stars’ five-game win streak, then broke a six-game losing run against the Sixers to make the last game of the season. Ultimately, the Hobart Hurricanes were too good.

THE HIGHLIGHT

It just had to be finals victory over the Sixers given all the context that went with it. After making an early impression, the Thunder had won just one of their last five home-and-away games and lost key players like Daniel Sams and Cameron Bancroft to injury – in one fell swoop. The Sixers viewed the Sydney Smash as an easy win and proved as much in their previous clash, but after a washout, the knockout return leg proved very different. Sam Billings‘ unbeaten 42 (29) guided the Thunder past the Sixers’ 7-151 and into their first decider since 2016, silencing their dominant rivals.

THE LOWLIGHT

On the other side of the Sydney Smash coin was the Sixers’ final ball win back on December 21. It was just the second game of the season for both sides, and the Thunder made a decent impression at home to post 5-163, led by 70* (52) from Cameron Bancroft. They had the Sixers pinned, needing to defend 15 runs off the final over and then seven off the last two balls. Chris Green and the Thunder ultimately fell victim to Ben Dwarshuis‘ big hitting, making for a sixth-straight loss to their rivals in all too familiarly embarrassing circumstances. Little did they know at the time, things would quickly change.

THE STAR

David Warner – 405 runs @ 45.0, 141.6 SR, 50 x3

Warner was absolutely pivotal to the Thunder’s revival in 2024/25, taking over the captaincy reigns and dragging them back into finals on the back of a last place finish. He compiled 134 more runs than the next best teammate, posting 405 at an average of 45 flat, striking at 141.6. He carried his bat thrice and notched up as many half-centuries, including a Player of the Match knock of 86* (57) against the Renegades. That was one of four times he top-scored for the Thunder in eight completed innings.

TOP KNOCK

David Warner – 88* (66) vs. Hobart Hurricanes @ Bellerive Oval

While there were no centurions for the Thunder in BBL|14, Warner posted the two top scores – both unbeaten – with a high of 88 (66). It came in a loss to Hobart Hurricanes at Bellerive Oval, with the captain’s knock helping his side to a 6-164 total. That was still not enough to down the eventual champions, who chased down the score in 16.5 overs thanks to Tim David‘s finishing exploits.

BEST BOWLING

Nathan McAndrew – 5-16 (4) vs. Melbourne Stars @ ENGIE Stadium

McAndrew produced an all-time performance to see his side progress through the Knockout final. His 5-16 off four overs stacked up as the best ever figures in a BBL final and was the Thunder’s only five-wicket haul this season. Defending a miserly 7-135 against the Stars, McAndrew utilised the slow wicket to remove struggling openers Sam Harper (6) and Tom Rogers (1) within the Power Play, before resigning the Stars to 8-89 when he dismissed the last recognised batter, Hilton Cartwright (15).

CONTRACT STATUS

SIGNED: Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Chris Green, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner

FREE AGENTS: Pat Cummins, Matt Gilkes, Ryan Hadley, Liam Hatcher, Nic Maddinson, Will Salzmann, Jason Sangha

UNCONTRACTED: Lockie Ferguson, George Garton, Muhammad Hasnain, Sherfane Rutherford, Tom Andrews, Dan Christian, Toby Gray, Blake Nikitaras, Hugh Weibgen

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