Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers, Sunday, 3 January 2027 — 1:45 PM IST, Manuka Oval, Canberra
The 22nd match of the BBL 2026-27 is Sydney Sixers against Adelaide Strikers on Sunday, 3 January 2027, at Manuka Oval, Canberra, starting at 1:45 PM IST. Manuka Oval hosts three matches this season, and this is a neutral ground for both sides.
The first ball goes down at 7:15 PM local time in Canberra. Manuka Oval has hosted BBL cricket before, and a neutral ground changes the shape of a match: no home crowd, no familiar dressing room, just two sides and a pitch neither knows as well as its own.
How both sides arrive in BBL|16
BBL|16 starts on Saturday 12 December 2026, so there is no form from this season to read yet. Here is the Sixers and the Strikers as announced so far.
| Team | Captain | Coach | BBL titles |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sydney Sixers | TBC | Matthew Mott | 2011-12, 2019-20, 2020-21 |
| Adelaide Strikers | Matt Short | Tim Paine | 2017-18 |
The Sixers come into BBL|16 as the runners-up of BBL|15, beaten by six wickets in the final by Perth. Three titles already sit in the cabinet from 2011-12, 2019-20 and 2020-21. Matthew Mott coaches the team, and the captaincy for BBL|16 is still to be confirmed.
Adelaide's one title came in 2017-18, and this season they have signed Ben Stokes after the BBL scrapped its overseas draft for an open market. Matt Short captains the side and Tim Paine coaches. The Strikers' home ground is Adelaide Oval, so a neutral ground in Canberra is a different kind of test for them.
A neutral ground, and no hiding place
A win banks two points; a no-result banks one. Each side has ten league matches to earn a place in the top four.
For the Sixers, a neutral ground takes away the SCG advantage and leaves only the cricket. A side that reached last season's final should be able to win anywhere, and a win in Canberra would show the Sixers are not dependent on home comforts to stay in the top four.
For the Strikers, Canberra is a chance to win away from Adelaide Oval and prove the Stokes signing travels. The league stage is past its halfway point by now, and every win matters more as the finals approach: the Qualifier is on 19 January, and the final is on Australia Day, 26 January.
The players who can decide it
The names below each link to that player’s SialTV profile.
Steve Smith is the Sixers batter to watch first. He bats at the heart of a side that reached last season's final, and on a neutral ground in Canberra he is the player the Strikers will plan their bowling around from the first over.
Ben Dwarshuis is the Sixers bowler who leads the attack with the ball. His left-arm pace suits Manuka Oval, and an early wicket or two from him would put the Strikers under pressure before they have settled.
Ben Stokes is the Strikers all-rounder and the biggest signing of the BBL|16 open market. He signed after the league scrapped its overseas draft, and a match in Canberra is another stage for him to show what he brings to Adelaide.
Matt Short is the Strikers all-rounder who captains the side and opens the batting. He holds the team together at the top of the order, and a fast start from him would take the pressure off Stokes and the middle order.
Match information
| Ground | Manuka Oval, Canberra |
| Series | Big Bash League |
| Season | 2026-27, BBL|16 |
| Match Days | Sunday, 3 January 2027 |
| Start | 1:45 PM IST · 1:15 PM PKT · 08:15 UTC · 7:15 PM AEDT local |
| Points | Winner 2, loser 0 |
Match yet to begin — the scorecard will appear on this page after the match. Manuka Oval hosts three matches in BBL|16.
Frequently asked questions
When does Sydney Sixers vs Adelaide Strikers start?
Match 22 is played on Sunday, 3 January 2027 at Manuka Oval, Canberra. It starts at 1:45 PM IST, which is 1:15 PM PKT, 08:15 UTC and 7:15 PM local time in Canberra. Manuka Oval hosts three matches in BBL|16, and this is a neutral ground for both sides.
Who captains each side in Match 22?
Matt Short captains the Adelaide Strikers, with Tim Paine coaching the side. The Sixers' captain for BBL|16 is still to be confirmed, with Matthew Mott coaching. The Sixers finished as runners-up in BBL|15, while the Strikers won their only title in 2017-18.
Where is Match 22 played, and how many games does the ground host?
The match is played at Manuka Oval, Canberra, a neutral ground for both sides. Manuka Oval hosts three matches in BBL|16. The Sixers have won three BBL titles, in 2011-12, 2019-20 and 2020-21, while the Strikers have won one, in 2017-18.
Who are the players to watch in Match 22?
Steve Smith and Ben Dwarshuis for the Sydney Sixers, and Ben Stokes and Matt Short for the Adelaide Strikers. Smith bats at the heart of the Sixers order, Dwarshuis leads their attack, Stokes is the Strikers' big new signing, and Short captains the side.
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