Philippe fireworks blow Thunder away as Sixers break BBL duck in superb style

Josh Philippe just missed out on a century but his 96 made a lasting impression on the Sydney Smash at Engie Stadium on Saturday night.

The Sixers star needed just 57 deliveries to tear the Thunder bowling attack apart, belting six fours and clearing the boundary on four occasions in his whirlwind knock.

Philippe’s fireworks propelled the Sixers to 5-198 and after the Thunder top order collapsed to be 4-45, the home side was never in with a realistic chance of hauling in the victory target before a sellout crowd.

NSW captain Jack Edwards finished with career-best figures of 5-26 with all of them top seven batters.

Josh Philippe just hit the Sydney Thunder all over ENGIE Stadium with 96 off just 57 balls ???? #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/mH4bd6iKap

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 20, 2025

“I didn’t really bowl that much when I was 18 or 19 but I quickly realised how hard batting was at this level, worked on the bowling,” he said.

“It’s nice that it’s starting to come together.”

The Sixers were winless from their opening two matches while the Thunder had lost their first match of the tournament so the stakes were high for the derby.

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Marquee signing Babar Azam kick-started his BBL campaign with a brilliant 58 off 42 at the top of the order with Daniel Hughes, who chipped in a quick-fire 25 before he was bowled by Reece Topley (3-41).

Philippe was in sight of his ton in the final over from Nathan McAndrew and smashed the fourth ball to Daniel Sams n the deep who claimed a low catch although replays indicated the ball may have hit the turf.

However, the third umpire ruled against Philippe, denying his hopes of a century.

Sam Konstas
David Warner

Jack Edwards gets two HUGE Sixers wickets in the same over! #GoldenMoment #BBL15 @BKTtires pic.twitter.com/7gVdn1v6Uf

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) December 20, 2025

Sam Konstas continued his hit and miss summer when he fell for two to Edwards with a catch to the square leg boundary and with opening partner Matthew Gilkes (12) stumped by Philippe off Todd Murphy and captain David Warner holing out for two, the Thunder were in strife at 3-17.

Sam Billings (51) and Shadab Khan (41) revived hopes of an unlikely comeback but allrounder Joel Davies chimed in with 3-24 to ensure the Sixers notched their first win of the season.

They were bowled out for 151 in 19.1 overs with only four batters making double-figure contributions after Chris Green’s 13 in the closing stages.

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