Cricket

Warner out for Hurricanes-Thunder BBL final rematch

Dec 15, 2025

David Warner of the Sydney Thunder — David Warner has been ruled out of the Thunder's BBL final rematch with the Hurricanes in Hobart. -AAP Image

Veteran opener David Warner will miss the Sydney Thunder's Big Bash League season opener and final rematch against the Hobart Hurricanes with injury.

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The 39-year-old reportedly hurt his side while playing with his kids at the beach, according to the Cricket Australia website, but is expected to be fit for Saturday's derby against the Sixers.

"It's obviously not ideal to not have Davey but we'd rather be careful earlier in the tournament," Sydney Thunder general manager Trent Copeland said.

Tuesday night's clash against the Hurricanes at Ninja Stadium is a rematch of last season's final, which saw Hobart lift the trophy for the first time on the back of Mitch Owen's brutal 108 off 42 balls.

"It was great for him and his career and what he has been able to achieve in the six months after the final," Hurricanes skipper Nathan Ellis told reporters on Monday.

"But there is no extra pressure or expectation on him to do what he does.

"Realistically, I don't think 11 blokes are going to have the season of their lives. You just need one of two. It was Mitchy last year."

The Hurricanes have kept the core of their squad together, and have picked up Jackson Bird, Jake Weatherald and Beau Webster - although the latter two are away on Ashes duties.

English allrounder Rehan Ahmed and Bangladeshi spinner Rishad Hossain could make their debuts in purple.

"The chemistry felt how it was last season. We've picked up where we left off," Ellis said, adding that the Hurricanes' breakthrough WBBL title on Saturday was extra motivation.

"(We've got) a great group, a fun group, some clowns, some pests, some good blokes. We all have a lot of fun together.

"If we're having a good time off the field and enjoying that experience, cricket takes care of itself."

Sydney allrounder Chris Green, who will captain the side in Warner's absence, insisted there weren't any scars returning to Ninja Stadium.

"It's a new season. This game poses a good challenge. It was two really good teams going at it last year, and two really good teams going at it this year," he said.

"We're a really well-balanced team and everything starts from scratch."

Ellis, who was born in NSW, and Green said their hearts were with everyone affected by the deadly Bondi Beach shootings.

"(Cricket feels) completely irrelevant when you're seeing scenes like that," Ellis said.