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The Sydney Derby has always been more than just a game; it is a battle for local bragging rights, fueled by cross-town rivalry. However, on the night of January 16, 2026, the 37th Match of BBL|15 at the Sydney Showground Stadium belonged to just one man. David Warner, the evergreen veteran and captain of the Sydney Thunder, sent shockwaves through the league by smashing a sensational second century of the season, leaving fans and critics alike in awe of his enduring brilliance.
David Warner lights up BBL 15 with his second century for Sydney Thunder
Entering the crease with the weight of expectation on his shoulders, Warner played an innings that combined surgical precision with brute force. From the outset, he looked determined, reaching his 50 off just 25 balls. While his opening partner Matthew Gilkes (12) and youngster Sam Konstas (6) struggled to find their rhythm against a world-class Sixers attack featuring Mitchell Starc, Warner remained unfazed.
The defining moment came in the 18th over. Facing Sean Abbott, Warner stayed composed as the bowler delivered a 133kph full delivery wide of off-stump. With a characteristic flourish, Warner drove the ball to deep cover for a single. As he crossed the crease, the stadium erupted into a deafening roar.
Warner had reached his 100 off 61 balls, marking his second ton of the BBL|15 campaign. He finished the innings unbeaten on 110 from 65 deliveries*, an masterclass that included 11 boundaries and 4 towering sixes. His strike rate of 169.23 was the heartbeat of the Thunder’s innings, proving that even in the twilight of his career, The Bull still has plenty of charge left.
Also READ: Fans erupt as Finn Allen lights up Docklands Stadium with sizzling century in BBL|15
Here’s how fans reacted:
That is an incredible run of form from David Warner! Scoring two centuries and two half-centuries in four innings is world-class, especially in the T20 format.
— Muhammad Yasir (@MuhammadYa85859)
🚨 HUNDRED FOR 39-YEAR-OLD DAVID WARNER IN BBL 🚨
– A remarkable Hundred against the bowling unit led by Mitchell Starc 🔥
— AB Crickzone (@BInformati71086)
🔥 WARNER ON FIRE 🔥
💯 vs Hobart Hurricanes
💯 vs Sydney Sixers
Second century of the BBL season!
David Warner is absolutely unstoppable right now. 🫡🔥— The Gabbar Sports (@thegabbars38054)
DAVID WARNER SMASHED SECOND HUNDRED IN THIS BBL SEASON
David Warner was outstanding once again in the BBL, producing a big innings and setting the tone for his team. He has looked in great rhythm throughout the season and keeps scoring consistently. With another strong knock, he…
— Hari Mohan (@HariMohan3042)
DAVID WARNER IN THIS BBL 2025/26:
– Innings – 8.
– Runs – 433.
– Average – 86.60.
– Strike rate – 154.09.
– Hundreds – 2.
– Fifties – 2.
– Fours – 38.
– Sixes – 20.— urstruly.1 (@VikashChou70911)
MOST HUNDREDS IN BBL HISTORY:
David Warner – 3*.
Steve Smith – 3.
— Viratology (@Nafees_22)
🚨 WARNER ON FIRE IN BBL 🚨
– At 39, David Warner scored another amazing hundred.
– This is his second ton this year, showing his class against a strong attack led by Mitchell Starc 💥
— 𝐑𝐢𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐡. (@cricket12craze)
🚨 39 YEAR OLD DAVID WARNER HAMMERED HIS 3RD BBL HUNDRED.🚨 Age doesn't matter if you are in form… 💪🏻💪🏻
– 2nd hundred of 2026 for Warner. 🥶
— b.agarwal (@babulalagarwal)
David Warner has done it again!
That is another superb century for the 39-year-old.
— Sachin Pandat (@Sachin_pnd)
DAVID WARNER SMASHED HUNDRED IN BBL .
– 2nd Century in BBL 2026.
– 130*(65), 67*(52), 82(56), 110*(65) last 5 innings by David Warner in BBL 2026.
– THE MADNESS STATS BY A 39 YEAR OLD.
— MANU. (@IMManu_18)
Sydney Thunder post competitive total despite Sixers’ late surge derby clash
After Moises Henriques won the toss and elected to field, the Sydney Sixers found themselves on the receiving end of a Thunder storm. The Thunder’s innings was a tale of two halves. They blazed through the first Powerplay, racking up 49 runs without loss, and crossed the 100-mark in the 13th over.
While Warner anchored the innings, Nic Maddinson provided a late-over spark with a brisk 26. However, the Sixers clawed back in the final over. Sam Curran was the pick of the bowlers, utilizing the slow over-rate penalty to his advantage. With extra fielders forced inside the circle due to the Thunder being behind the clock, Curran snared three wickets in the final overto finish with.
Despite the late tumble of wickets, the Thunder finished at 189/6. With a win probability of 61.60% heading into the break, the pressure is now firmly on a Sixers batting lineup featuring superstars like Babar Azam and Steve Smith to chase down a target that feels even larger given the momentum Warner has generated.
