Former Australian opener David Warner rolled back the years with a relentless unbeaten century but his heroics were overshadowed as Hobart Hurricanes ended their record-breaking run chase against Sydney Thunder. BBL|15 Running festival at ENGIE Stadium.
Warner smashed 130 off 65 deliveries, hitting 11 fours and nine sixes to rewrite the record books. It was the highest individual score in BBL|15 and the highest by a Sydney Thunder team. Despite the scale of the hurricane, the Thunder was left empty-handed.
David Warner joins the elite T20 century club
Warner’s century was only his second in BBL history and his first since 2011, underscoring the rarity of the moment. The knock also took him to nine men’s T20 centuries in total, placing him at the same time. Virat Kohli and Riley Rossouw on the all-time list.
130 did not come out. 65 balls.
Here is the incredible best of David Warner #BBL15 a hundred! pic.twitter.com/GperFoc4ye
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 3, 2026
Only Chris Gayle 22nd century and Babar Azam Sitting above Warner in 11-man T20 cricket. Warner’s late onslaught was particularly ferocious, plundering 50 runs off his last 15 balls to propel the Thunder to a mammoth total.
Sydney Thunder post 205 but Hobart Hurricanes refuse to blink
Batting first, Sydney Thunder finished at 205 for 4, with Warner umpiring from start to finish. Nic Maddinson provided the support with a quick 30, but it was Warner’s strong knock that saw the Thunder cross the 200-run mark.
David Warner mentioned ‘6-7’ after his trademark 😂 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/e3TtlebNBf
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 3, 2026
At half-time, the match was winnable, especially given the Thunder’s desperation for points after their difficult start to the season. However, the Hobart Hurricanes had other ideas right on the Sydney surface.
Tim Ward and Mitch Owen destroy the chase early
Hobart’s response was explosive. Openers Tim Ward and Mitch Owen led a stunning counter-attack, reaching 108 for no loss in just 8.2 overs. Ward led the way with a brilliant 90 off 49 balls while Owen led the way with 45 off just 18 balls.
The blistering stand effectively broke the back of the chase, forcing the Thunder into defensive mode much sooner than expected and turning the contest into a shootout.
Sydney Thunder bounced back briefly through Daniel Sams who claimed 3 for 36 to create a glimmer of hope. But that momentum was short-lived as Nikhil Chaudhary held his nerve.
Chaudhary finished unbeaten on 29 off 14 balls to take Hobart to 206 for 4 and seal the most successful run of runs ever recorded at the ENGIE Stadium. The win was also a record BBL chase at the venue.
The reigning champions have just completed a record-breaking run at the ENGIE Stadium 💜 #BBL15 pic.twitter.com/gkKm4d6R1a
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 3, 2026
The win lifted the reigning champions into the top half of the BBL|15 standings with a 5-2 record and extended their lead over the Thunder to six straight wins. The loss was devastating for the Sydney Thunder. They dropped to 1-5 for the season and 0-3 at ENGIE Stadium, leaving their finals hopes hanging by a thread.
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