What a night at the Sydney Showground! Veteran opener David Warner delivered a masterclass for Sydney Thunder, smashing an unbeaten 130 off just 65 balls in the Big Bash League clash against the Hobart Hurricanes on January 3, 2026. But even a record-breaking knock from the 39-year-old left-hander wasn’t enough, as the Hurricanes pulled off a clinical chase to win by six wickets and leap to the top of the table.
Warner’s innings was a sight to behold—vintage, audacious, and relentless. He peppered the boundary with 11 fours and launched nine towering sixes, racing to his century in just 57 balls. It was his highest-ever score in the Big Bash League, the highest individual score by a Thunder batter, and the joint-fourth biggest in the tournament’s history. The feat also marked Warner’s second BBL century, coming a whopping 14 years after his first back in the league’s inaugural season in 2011. As commentator Mark Waugh summed up, "It's been a great innings from David Warner. He's looked a little bit out of form, but wow. Tonight he's been spot on. His footwork has been great. His impact hitting the ball has been powerful. Tremendous innings."
Warner’s knock wasn’t just about personal milestones—it was a statement. In the process, he surged past Rohit Sharma and drew level with Virat Kohli and Rilee Rossouw for the third-most T20 hundreds in history, with nine. Only Chris Gayle (22) and Babar Azam (11) have more. Warner now sits alongside some of the game’s most prolific T20 run-scorers, with his tally of nine centuries coming in 429 T20 matches and 428 innings. It’s a testament to his longevity and ability to adapt, even as he transitions from Test cricket—having retired from the longest format in 2024—to focusing on white-ball exploits and media work.
The Thunder needed every ounce of Warner’s experience after a disastrous start. Will Prestwidge, opening the bowling for Hobart, sent Matthew Gilkes and Sam Konstas back to the pavilion with the first two deliveries of the match. Prestwidge narrowly missed a hat-trick with an off-target in-swinger, but the Thunder were suddenly 2 for 0, and the pressure was on. Warner, unflappable as ever, steadied the ship. He found support from Nic Maddinson (30 off 26 balls), who was making his Big Bash return after overcoming testicular cancer, and Sam Billings, who chipped in with 20 off 24 balls. Maddinson eventually retired hurt, allowing Daniel Sams to add a late flourish with 14 off six balls.
Warner’s late assault was nothing short of breathtaking. He plundered 50 runs from his final 15 deliveries, dismantling the Hurricanes’ attack and propelling the Thunder to a formidable 205 for 4. As Warner told Kayo Sports after the match, "It feels really good to put 200 on the board." He added, "I thought (our total) was very competitive, but we knew up the top the strength and power that they had." His words would prove prophetic.
The Hurricanes’ chase was as ruthless as it was efficient. Openers Mitch Owen and Tim Ward tore into the Thunder’s bowling, putting on a blistering 108-run partnership in just 51 balls. Owen’s 45 off 18 balls set the tone, but it was Ward who stole the show for Hobart, hammering 90 off 49 balls with ten fours and three sixes. Ward looked destined for a century of his own before mistiming a scoop off Daniel Sams, who finished with figures of 3 for 36 from three overs. That wicket, the second of three quick strikes, briefly gave the Thunder hope. But the Hurricanes’ depth and composure shone through.
England’s Rehan Ahmed contributed a handy 16 off 14 balls, and although Ben McDermott fell shortly after Ward for a modest 2, the Hurricanes never lost their grip on the chase. With 49 runs needed off 35 balls, Nikhil Chaudhary (29 not out off 14) and Matthew Wade (13 not out off 5) calmly guided Hobart over the line, sealing victory with 13 balls to spare. The win lifted the Hurricanes to a 5-2 record and the summit of the BBL table, though they’ve played two more games than the second-placed Melbourne Stars. For the Thunder, it was a familiar story of individual brilliance overshadowed by collective shortcomings—they remain anchored to the bottom with just one win from six matches.
While Warner’s heroics dominated the headlines, the Hurricanes’ bowling effort deserves mention. Will Prestwidge was the pick of the attack, claiming 2 for 19 in his two overs, while Nathan Ellis chipped in with a wicket but suffered at the hands of Warner, conceding 46 runs from his four overs. Rishad Hossain kept things tight, giving away only 29 runs in his full quota. Despite their struggles in the field, Hobart’s bowlers did enough to keep the Thunder from running away with an even bigger total.
After the match, Warner was quick to credit the Hurricanes’ chase: "It was one of those games where Wardy or Mitchy were probably going to go off, but they both went off, which is unfortunate. But they played very well. They're a class team and they've chased very well the last couple of years. Without (injured star) Tim David you think you're a bit of a chance. But when they get off to a good start and there's no early wickets and no pressure, they can play the way that they wanted to. They dictated from the get-go."
For Warner, this knock was more than just a personal triumph—it was a reminder of his enduring class and his place among the T20 elite. For the Thunder, though, it’s back to the drawing board. Their batting, apart from Warner, has looked brittle, and their bowlers struggled to contain Hobart’s aggressive top order. The Hurricanes, meanwhile, have sent a message to the rest of the league: they’re in red-hot form, and even record-breaking centuries from legends like Warner won’t slow them down.
With the Big Bash League heating up, all eyes will be on whether the Hurricanes can maintain their momentum at the top, and if Warner can inspire the Thunder to a late-season revival. For now, fans can only marvel at a night where history was made, but the spoils went to the team that held its nerve when it mattered most.
