Tuesday night Big Bash action heads south as the Hobart Hurricanes host the Sydney Thunder at Ninja Stadium, with both sides navigating early-season availability headaches. We have you covered with a full preview and betting tips for the 3rd game of the BBL15 season below.
BBL15 Hurricanes vs Thunder Betting Tips
Ninja Staduym, Tuesday 16th December, 7:15pm AEDT
Hobart Hurricanes
Squad: Rehan Ahmed, Marcus Bean, Jackson Bird, Iain Carlisle, Tim David, Nathan Ellis, Rishad Hossain, Chris Jordan, Ben McDermott, Riley Meredith, Mitch Owen, Billy Stanlake, Matthew Wade, Tim WArd, Jake Weatherald, Beau Webster, Mac Wright
The Hurricanes’ XI is tricky to pin down due to fitness clouds and Test absences. With Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster unavailable, the expectation is that youngster Tim Ward and Nikhil Chaudhary step into the top three, with Chaudhary familiar with responsibility after batting at first drop in last season’s Final. Mitch Owen, Matthew Wade and Rehan Ahmed are not at 100 percent, which adds another layer of uncertainty to how Hobart structure their order.
What is clearer is Hobart’s bowling plan. Nathan Ellis will lead a strong pace trio alongside Riley Meredith and Chris Jordan, offering control and death-overs nous, with Rishad Hossain providing leg-spin support. Tim David’s evolution as a genuine number four remains a key watch, while Ben McDermott and Wade loom as the middle-order stabilisers if early wickets fall.
Sydney Thunder
Squad: David Warner, Tom Andrews, Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings, Ollie Davies, Lockie Ferguson, Matt Gilkes, Ryan Hadley, Shadab Khan, Sam Konstas, Nic Maddinson, Nathan McAndrew, Blake Nikitaras, Aidan O'Connor, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Reece Topley
The Thunder will keep things simple at the top, with David Warner set to open alongside Sam Konstas, followed by Cameron Bancroft to anchor the innings. Ollie Davies and Sam Billings add flexibility through the middle, while Shadab Khan is expected to bat at six and act as the sixth bowling option if his shoulder holds up. Lockie Ferguson and Ravi Ashwin are unavailable, which forces some creativity in the bowling mix.
That balance is the main decision point for Sydney. Reece Topley is locked in to provide left-arm pace, Tanveer Sangha adds leg-spin threat, and Daniel Sams offers all-round impact. The final pace spot is a debate between Ryan Hadley, Nathan McAndrew or Wes Agar, with the possibility of Tom Andrews if the Thunder opt for extra spin. Chris Green’s role will be pivotal in tying the innings together.
Match Prediction
I’ve tipped the Thunder to win the competition this season, but this opener shapes as a genuine early hurdle for them. A trip to Hobart is never comfortable, and arriving without two of their strike bowlers in Lockie Ferguson and Ravi Ashwin immediately puts pressure on a bowling unit still finding its balance. If Shadab Khan is even slightly restricted, the Thunder could find themselves short of proven wicket-taking options on a ground that rewards discipline and smart changes of pace.
Hobart, by contrast, are close to full strength and particularly well suited to conditions at Ninja Stadium. Their pace trio of Ellis, Meredith and Jordan gives them control at both ends of the innings, and their batting depth through McDermott, David and Wade provides insurance even if the top order reshuffles. While Sydney remain a serious title threat long term, this feels like a spot where Hobart’s familiarity, bowling depth and early-season continuity give them the edge. The lean is Hurricanes to win at home, even if the Thunder loom large across the rest of BBL15.
Hurricanes to Win
$1.65 (1 Unit)
Hurricanes vs Thunder Player Prop Bet
Tim David to score 25 plus runs shapes as a strong player prop in Hobart. He has an outstanding record against the Thunder, piling on 209 runs from just 11 innings at an average of 52.25, and Ninja Stadium has consistently brought out his best with 577 runs from 29 innings at a healthy average of 44.38. Add in last season’s form, where he cleared 24 runs in six of nine innings including a dominant 68 off 44 against this same opponent, and the numbers point clearly toward another solid contribution. Batting in the middle order with time to build, David is well placed to clear a modest line if he gets even a brief platform.
