Thunder host cross-town rivals the Sixers at Engie Stadium in BBL Sydney Smash
Taking on last season’s finalists in Saturday’s derby will test the Thunder. But big-hitting recruit Sam Billings says his side is “as strong as anyone” ahead of the blockbuster, which headlines a big month of Sydney events. SEE WHAT’S ON
Sam Billings doesn’t view the Thunder as underdogs in the upcoming Sydney Smash.
Sure their opponents, the Sixers, finished runners-up to Brisbane Heat last season while the Thunder landed at the bottom of the table.
But Billings – an English T20 star who has returned to western Sydney after two seasons with the Heat – is excited by the team’s prospects in this blockbuster match at Engie Stadium on December 21, and beyond.
“People might see us as underdogs, but you look around the change room at the quality we’ve got, we’re as strong as anyone on paper,” the wicketkeeper-batter said. “It’s just about coming to the party and grafting together.
“There’s a real fresh energy around the Thunder. We have a lot of new players. Davey (Warner) has come into the captain role and he’s committed to the full year, which is a huge boost for us, and the whole competition.
“I’m really excited to be back with the Thunder and looking forward to those games, the huge rivalry.”
Adding to the fireworks on field at Engie will be literal fireworks off them, plus DJ performances and other entertainment for fans.
The Thunder chased down 183 runs to defeat the Strikers by two wickets, with just two balls remaining, in its first game of the season on December 17. Sam Konstas (56 from 27 balls), Daniel Sams (42no from 18), Chris Green and Tanveer Sangha (three wickets each) starred.
Billings – who was also a Sixers player before his first two seasons in lime green from 2020-22 – has signed a three-year deal for his second stint with the Thunder and pledged to be available for the seasons in their entirety, including finals, having turned down clubs from other T20 leagues.
Various factors influenced this decision, including wanting to provide some stability for his daughter, Ivie, in a city he loves.
“The Big Bash has always been one of the premier tournaments around the world,” the 33-year-old said.
“But I’ve also got a young family, a nine-month-old little girl, and for us to spend two months a year here in Sydney is very special.
“I played for Penrith firstly about 12 years ago, so western Sydney has played a huge part in my career on and off the field. It feels like coming home.
“I also want to be part of something, I want to be a part of a project for a long period of time as opposed to flying in and flying out everywhere.”
Playing under Warner excites Billings, who expects him to bring energy and competitiveness to the captaincy.
“You don’t become one of the greatest players Australia has ever produced without that competitive edge,” he said. “He’ll drive high standards on and off the field, leading by example.”
He’s also buoyed by the addition of New Zealand quick Lockie Ferguson and West Indian middle-order batter Sherfane Rutherford.
“Mixed in with the quality domestic players we have – the likes of Chris Green, Dan Sams, Tanveer Sangha, Ollie Davies, David Warner – it’s a beautiful blend between experience and youth, leg spin, off spin, power, left-handers, right-handers,” he said. “It looks really well balanced.”
Billings also named Konstas – who was in the mix for Australia’s Test opening batter position ahead of the series against India – as “an exciting talent” he was pumped to play with.
“I first saw him on Instagram, he went viral,” he said. “I saw like a clip pop up, like 60 seconds in the nets and I thought, ‘Geez this guy can play’.
“There’s no reason why this group of players can’t be successful, not only this year, but over coming years.”
The Sydney Thunder will take on Sydney Sixers at Engie Stadium, 7.15pm on December 21. Tickets available via Ticketmaster.
WHAT’S ON IN SYDNEY?
Sydney Festival
This major arts festival is a citywide celebration of culture and creativity that draws artists from across Australia and the world to Sydney. It will infiltrate all corners of greater Sydney from January 4 to 26 – from the streets to the beach, stately theatres to secret basements – and feature a trailblazing program of more than 130 free and ticketed events spanning theatre, music, dance, visual art and experimental live performance.
Christmas Day basketball
The Sydney Kings will once again take on NSW rivals the Illawarra Hawks in their annual Christmas night clash from 8.30pm at Qudos Bank Arena. A longstanding tradition in the US, the Kings introduced December 25 basketball in the 2022-23 season, attracting large crowds in the stands and on broadcast.
The New Year’s Test
The fifth and final Test of the hotly contested Border–Gavaskar Trophy between Australia and India will grace the SCG from January 3. As always, day three will Jane McGrath Day, during which the stadium turns into a sea of pink to honour Glenn McGrath’s late wife and support the McGrath Breast Care Nurses program. Funds raised from the event will support the McGrath Foundation’s mission to ensure no one goes through breast cancer without the care of a breast care nurse. Tickets via Ticketek
Unstopabble
The Bradman Museum’s latest permanent exhibition elevates the trailblazing women who have shaped cricket in Australia – from Betty Wilson to Ellyse Perry – via a multimedia showcase. To celebrate the opening on January 8, the museum is putting on a free T20 match at Bradman Oval between former Australian captain Alex Blackwell’s XI and the Lee XI, led by brothers Brett and Shane.
Julie Mehretu: A Transcore of the Radical Imaginatory
The first exhibition dedicated to New York artist Julie Mehretu to be shown in Australia and the Asia-Pacific region, this Museum of Contemporary Art showcase is part of the Sydney International Art Series for 2024–25. According to the gallery, it traces Mehretu’s “ongoing engagement with abstraction”, informed by histories of art across millennia – from Chinese ink painting and Japanese manga to rock art, literature and music. See it until April 27.
United Cup tennis
Watch our best Australian Open hope, world No. 9 Alex de Minaur, in his last tournament before taking a swing at the first Grand Slam of 2025. He will be spearheading Team Australia at the United Cup at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney – alongside our highest-ranked woman Olivia Gadecki and led by Lleyton Hewitt – taking on team Argentina on December 28 and Great Britain on New Year’s Day. To add a bit of spice, Team GB features de Minaur’s girlfriend, Katie Boulter. The mixed-gender tournament runs from December 27 to January 5.
Christmas at Martin Place
See NSW’s tallest Christmas tree – decorated with more than 110,000 LED lights, a 3.4m star and 330 baubles – at Martin Place until January 3. The tree’s 800 branches are also dressed with 15,000 native flowers. Carollers from various local singing groups will perform under the tree, nightly from 6-8pm until Christmas Eve, as part of Choirs in the City.
whatson.cityofsydney.nsw.gov.au/events/martin-place-christmas-tree
James Cameron – Challenging the Deep
Immerse yourself in an underwater world via cinema-scale projections, artefacts and specimens from the expeditions of explorer and filmmaker James Cameron at this Australian National Maritime Museum exhibition. Until February 2, Challenging the Deep traces the Titanic director’s passion for deep-ocean science, technology and exploration. It includes material from his record-breaking dive to the bottom of the planet in the submersible he co-designed and co-engineered, the Deepsea Challenger.
sea.museum/en/whats-on/exhibitions/james-cameron-challenging-the-deep
Australia Sail Grand Prix
Sailing fans should put this one in the diary for the new year – the Australia Sail Grand Prix returns to Sydney Harbour on February 8 and 9. The event draws thousands of fans from around the world each year, with onlookers able to watch the supercharged F50 fleet race from the shoreline on Shark Island or from the middle of the harbour.
sailgp.com/races/24-25/australia-sail-grand-prix-sydney/overview
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