Steve Smith and Joel Davies lead Sydney Sixers to BBL 2025-26 final

In the BBL 2025-26 Challenger match at Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Sixers dominated Hobart Hurricanes and won by 57 runs to reach the final. Steve Smith played brilliantly, scoring 65 runs, helping Sixers post a total of 198/8. In response, the Hurricanes were bowled out for 141.

How did Joel Davies bat?

Joel Davies scored a quick 27 when the Hurricanes looked like they were coming back into the game. He then showed his improving left-arm spin, getting Nikhil Chaudhary out with a smart catch by Edwards at wide long-off. On the very next ball, he took an amazing diving catch to his left to dismiss Matthew Wade. Davies finished the match with another excellent catch in the deep, removing stand-in captain Ben McDermott.

What happened in the match?

After winning the toss, Sydney Sixers chose to bat first and scored a challenging 198/8 in 20 overs. Steve Smith played a quick innings of 65 runs off 43 balls, including 9 fours and a six, reaching his fifty in just 31 balls.

Josh Philippe contributed well in a 64-run partnership for the second wicket but was dismissed for 15. The middle-order batters also added some runs. Hobart’s Riley Meredith took 3 wickets for 52 runs but couldn’t stop the scoring.

Hurricanes’ chase started poorly, and the team was bowled out for 141. Ben McDermott scored 40, being the only batsman to perform, while the rest struggled with poor form.

Bouncing back from their loss to Perth Scorchers in the Qualifier, the Sixers bowled with discipline and dismissed the Hurricanes. Hobart had come into the match confident after their knockout win against Melbourne Stars, but they struggled to adjust to the conditions at Sydney Cricket Ground, which favored disciplined fast bowling. Steve Smith’s fifty proved to be crucial.

This win ensures a rematch with the Scorchers in the final, giving the Sixers a chance to avenge their earlier defeat. The Hurricanes’ impressive playoff run has ended. The Sixers will face Perth Scorchers in the final at Optus Stadium on Sunday, marking the sixth time these two teams will meet for the title.