Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) On January 16, 2026, it became the theater of brilliance as its 37th match. BBL 15 brought the city to a standstill. In the high-stakes Sydney Derby Sydney Sixers invited Sydney Thunder bat first in a clash packed with narrative weight – Mitchell Starc’s return to the Big Bash after an eleven-year hiatus and David Warner‘s relentless pursuit of the Golden Bat. Although the contest was billed as a battle of heavyweights, it was a moment of acrobatic genius from the Sixers skipper. Moises Henriques stole the first headlines.
Moises Henriques scored a sensational catch to dismiss Matthew Gilkes
The breakout happened in the 6th, when the lightning started to look dangerous. Mitchell Starcsteamed for the second time and gave a ball that wobbled on the fourth stump line. Matthew GilkesLooking to take advantage of the last point of the Powerplay, he tried to lift the ball inside out.
Gilkes didn’t quite get the middle, slicing the delivery towards wide mid-off. It was meant to fall into the gap, but Henriques had other plans. Tracking the ball with predatory focus, Henriques launched a horizontal toss at full length to his right. Even as it hit the SCG turf, he retained his grip and plucked the ball inches from the turf. The dismissal (12 off 12 balls) gave Starc his first BBL wicket in over a decade and enraged the red faithful. It was blinding in every sense of the word and proved that at 38, the Sixers captain still has the reflexes of a teenager.
We present the video:
Here it is!
Mitch Starc took his first Big Bash wicket in 11 seasons. #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/fiqTzZ3DID
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
Also READ: Fans erupt as Finn Allen lights up Docklands Stadium with a scintillating century in BBL|15.
Sydney Thunder are aiming for a big result in BBL|15 despite high-profile stuttering
Despite losing Gilkes in this sensational catch, the Sydney Thunder showed no sign of slowing down their aggressive intentions. Driven by a vintage David Warnerthe men in lime green reached 83/2 at the 10 over drink break, well placed to start the back half of the innings.
The course of the match favored the Thunder early on, with the opening pair hitting a quick 50-run stand off just 25 balls. Warner was the main aggressor, smashing a breathtaking half-century off just 25 deliveries, including eight boundaries and a powerful six. His dominance saw the Thunder capitalize in the Powerplay, reaching 49/0 in the first four overs.
while Jack Edwards he was able to keep the young people away Constas himself (6 off 11) presence shortly before the break Sam Billings Along with Warner in place, it suggests the Lightning are looking at a target north of 170. Figures of 1/27 with Starc and Sean Abbott keeping him tight, the Sixers will need more Henriques-like brilliance in the field to restrict their cross-town rivals on this flat SCG deck.
Also READ: Finn Allen’s fiery century helps Perth Scorchers to victory over Melbourne Renegades in BBL|15.
