At least that's what cricketing warriors Brett Lee and Jacques Kallis are saying before they face off in the Sydney derby of the Big Bash League at ANZ Stadium on Saturday.

"We've been teammates now for probably three seasons so we'll probably talk about golf I think," said Lee, the spearhead of the Sixers' bowling line-up. "In all seriousness, it's just heaps of fun playing against these guys and certainly playing out here."

The Thunder, who have finished last every season and had a 19-match losing streak, have never beaten the Sixers. But Kallis says there's great team spirit in the dressing room on the back of the 56-run opening match victory over Brisbane Heat.

"To get away with a victory first game up has really got the guys excited and put a good spirit among the guys," Kallis said.

"But that's history, we've got another game to focus on now and I think the guys appreciate that it's going to be a tough game.

"When you get momentum in this format, it can take you a long way, and hopefully we can stick with that momentum."

As he made his debut in electric green, Kallis reached 97 not out from 55 and shared a record 160-run first-wicket stand with Mike Hussey.

The Sixers, who won the inaugural championship in 2012, have had comfortable wins in their first two matches of the season.

While the meeting is being set up as an epic cross-city showdown similar to the rivalry between Western Sydney Wanderers and Sydney FC in the A-League, Kallis and Lee say there is no particular rivalry between the sides. Many of the Sydney players are former teammates or are part of the NSW Blues squad.

But any golf chat between Kallis and Lee, who have played together in the Indian Premier League, may be drowned out by cheering. Organisers say the crowd is on track to reach 30,000 and may pass the 80-year-old domestic attendance record of 32,587, set at the Sydney Cricket Ground at the 1934 Sheffield Shield final.

The crowd was originally expected to be smaller but tickets started selling fast after the Thunder won their first match.

"I've heard a lot about the derbies here, so I'm sure they're going to fill the ground and it's going to be some good, fun cricket and hopefully some exciting cricket too," Kallis said.

"If I can pass on the knowledge that I've gained over the past 19 years and learn a little bit from the youngsters, that's what it's all about and that's how you create a healthy team and a winning team," Kallis said.

World Cup hopeful Pat Cummins, 21, was with the Sixers when they won the inaugural BBL before he joined the Thunder. Cummins has had a string of injuries and hasn't played a Test since 2011, but was bowling at about 147 km/h in his last match against the Heat.

Lee says he spent time injured when he was Cummins' age and believes Cummins had a bright future.

"I think that he has got a fantastic record," Lee said. "I think his body will get stronger and stronger as time goes on. He was bowling fast the other night, so that's exciting for Australian cricket. If I had it my way, I would certainly get him back up playing Test match cricket."

In a blow to the Thunder, injured batsman Kurtis Patterson has been ruled out for the rest of the tournament. Blues batsman Scott Henry will replace Usman Khawaja, who is recovering from a knee injury. Australian paceman Mitchell Starc will return to the Sixers for the match.