Oliver Davies joins Sydney Sixers, set to reunite with brother Joel in next BBL season

Oliver Davies will join his brother Joel at Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash League (BBL) next season after departing Sydney Thunder, with the move confirmed during the same week the Thunder are set to table a season review with Cricket New South Wales following a last-place finish.

Davies, 25, has signed a three-year deal with the Sixers as a free agent during the player movement window. The right-handed batter played just one match for Thunder last season, prompting a change of direction in his BBL career as he looks for greater opportunity and continuity.

“I’m so excited to sign with the Sydney Sixers for the next three years. It’s a childhood dream to play professional cricket alongside my little brother Joel. We’re both stoked to pull on the magenta together and run out at the SCG. I hope I can make meaningful contributions as we fight to bring home a championship for our fans,” Davies said in a statement.

Davies first made his mark with Sydney Thunder during the 2022–23 season, scoring three half-centuries to play a key role in the club’s push into the finals. However, his returns since that breakout campaign have been modest. He featured in nine matches the following season, including the final against Hobart Hurricanes, but fell out of favour in 2025–26.

Despite Thunder’s broader struggles with the bat outside of David Warner’s standout season, Davies was limited to just one appearance, highlighting the depth issues and selection challenges that plagued the side.

His departure comes as Cricket New South Wales prepares to review Thunder’s two-win campaign. Cricket NSW chief executive Lee Germon confirmed that discussions regarding the team’s future, including the position of head coach Trevor Bayliss, are scheduled for this week, though no decisions have been made yet.

“We’re in the process of formulating some decisions in terms of the Thunder moving forward. I have a meeting this week where I’m going to be privy to the review, so I’m not in a position to make any comment,” Germon told ESPNCricinfo on Saturday.

Bayliss has been in charge of Thunder for five seasons, guiding the side to the finals on three occasions, including a runner-up finish in the 2024–25 BBL final. However, the 2025–26 campaign marked the second time Thunder finished last during his tenure, having also ended the 2023–24 season in eighth place.

Thunder’s review follows closely on the heels of Cricket NSW’s decision to part ways with long-time Sydney Sixers coach Greg Shipperd, despite him having a season remaining on his contract. The move came after a Sixers review of a season in which the side reached the final for the third time in five years. Notably, Sixers have not finished lower than third in the past seven seasons, though they have not won a title since 2020–21.

Cricket NSW also confirmed that the 2025–26 season would be Shipperd’s final year in charge of the New South Wales Sheffield Shield and One-Day Cup teams, despite both competitions still being ongoing at the time and NSW remaining in contention for both titles. Shipperd had been contracted with NSW until the end of the 2026–27 season.

Meanwhile, Sydney Sixers face several contract decisions ahead of the next BBL campaign. Long-time captain Moises Henriques and veteran batter Daniel Hughes are yet to be re-signed, with both eligible to move as free agents. Off spinner Todd Murphy is also expected to enter the market after losing his place in the Sixers’ XI midway through the season following a call-up to Australia’s Test squad.

Australia’s veteran white-ball leg spinner Adam Zampa is another name being closely watched, with the experienced bowler emerging as a possible free-agent signing after choosing not to re-sign with Melbourne Renegades.

Sydney Sixers Contracted Players

Sean Abbott, Joel Davies, Ollie Davies, Ben Dwarshuis, Jack Edwards, Hayden Kerr, Josh Philippe, Lachlan Shaw, Jordan Silk, Steven Smith