In a thrilling Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 match at the Sydney Showground Stadium (ENGIE Stadium), Sydney Thunder captain **David Warner** scored an unbeaten 130 runs** (11 fours, 9 sixes) off 65 balls, helping his team reach **205/4**. This was his ninth T20 century, taking him level with **Virat Kohli** and **Riley Rousseau** for third place on the all-time list (behind Chris Gayle: 22; Babar Azam: 11). It was Warner’s second BBL century – his first since December 2011 – and the highest individual score in Thunder history.

The Thunder got off to a bad start with two wickets falling at 0/2 off the first two balls, with Will Prestwitz dismissing Matthew Gilks ​​and Sam Konstas. Warner took over the innings: making a 66-run partnership with Sam Billings, followed by a partnership with Nick Maddinson (30 runs off 26 balls). He scored 50 runs off his last 15 balls, including 30 off the last over from Nathan Ellis.

Hobart Hurricanes chased the target brilliantly and scored 207/4 in **17.5 overs** to win by six wickets with 13 balls remaining. Openers **Tim Ward** (90 runs off 49 balls) and **Mitchell Owen** (45 runs off 18 balls) added 108 runs in 51 balls. Daniel Sams took 3/36, which gave some hope for some time, but **Nikhil Choudhary** (29*) sealed the victory. The win took the Hurricanes to the top of the table; Thunder remains at the bottom.

Player of the match: Warner, despite the loss.

statement after the match

Warner: “I thought (our total) was very competitive, but we knew how much strength and power they had at the top. It was one of those games where either Vardy or Mitchy was probably going to do well, but unfortunately for us both did. You’ve got to believe in yourself, work hard and on a good pitch, you can really give yourself time.”