Photo Credit: Sydney Thunder
Sydney Thunder will take on arch-rivals the Sydney Sixers in KFC BBL|14’s first Saturday night match of the summer, giving fans an early season chance to enjoy ENGIE Stadium’s new LED light show and improved at-match experience.
Set down for Saturday December 21, the clash is the earliest scheduled Sydney Smash blockbuster since BBL|07 and a fixture certain to follow last year’s two match ups between the two Sydney teams and sell out.
Thunder will play four matches at ENGIE Stadium (formerly Sydney Showground Stadium) in the heart of Western Sydney this BBL season, with fans set to be treated to a stunning display of lights and colours following the ground’s multi-million dollar upgrades to their LED capabilities.
On the field a Sydney Smash never disappoints with the two teams holding a bitter rivalry that began in the first season of BBL back in 2011.
Several players have played for both franchises over the years before finding their homes on the other side of town – Thunder stars Sam Billings and Daniel Sams are both now firmly entrenched in Western Sydney after first playing for the Sixers, while Sean Abbott and Daniel Hughes spent time at the Thunder before carving out careers for the enemy.
This season, Thunder prodigy Ollie Davies is set to line up against his younger brother, Joel, who debuted for Thunder before switching allegiances last summer, setting up a mouth-watering battle.
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Sydney Thunder General Manager, Trent Copeland, said the fixture would give Thunder members and fans an incredible opportunity to get behind the side at the start of the season in front of a full house.
“We couldn’t have asked for a better first up match at ENGIE Stadium this BBL season,” he said.
“The work that has gone into improving the venue for fans is incredible and we have some really exciting initiatives planned for this match and right throughout the summer.
“It doesn’t get much better than playing your archrivals in front of your own packed stadium and there is little doubt that this is one of the tournament’s marquee matches that will likely sell out well in advance of match day.”
The full fixture for KFC BBL|14 will be announced next week.
Sydney Thunder BBL|14 Squad (as at July 5): Wes Agar, Cameron Bancroft, Sam Billings (INT), Ollie Davies, Matt Gilkes, Chris Green, Liam Hatcher, Sam Konstas, Nathan McAndrew, Will Salzmann, Daniel Sams, Jason Sangha, Tanveer Sangha
