Smith Shines with Record-Equalling Century in Sixers’ Thrilling Victory
Steve Smith delivered a T20 masterclass, smashing an unbeaten 121 off just 64 balls to power the Sydney Sixers to a stunning 14-run victory over the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League (BBL) clash on January 11, 2025. The electrifying innings, studded with seven sixes and an array of brilliant strokes, left the 31,165 spectators at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in awe.
The Sixers set an imposing target of 221, their highest total in BBL history, as Smith anchored the innings with poise and explosive power. Early patience saw the team at 24 for 1 after five overs, but Smith unleashed his full arsenal of shots in a jaw-dropping partnership with Moises Henriques. Their 113-run stand included a ferocious power surge that yielded 24 runs in a single over from Jhye Richardson.
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Smith's dazzling display also featured unconventional shots, including switch-hits and a remarkable inside-out six over backward point off AJ Tye. Tye endured a torrid outing, conceding 62 runs from his four overs, while Richardson’s figures of 0 for 51 reflected the dominance of the Sixers' batting lineup.
Sean Abbott complemented Smith’s heroics with the ball, claiming 4 for 43 and dismantling the Scorchers’ top order. While Ashton Turner’s valiant 66 off 32 balls injected hope into Perth’s chase, the uphill task proved insurmountable. Abbott’s back-to-back wickets in the fourth over and tight bowling at the death sealed the victory for the Sixers.
This knock marked Smith’s third BBL century, tying him with Ben McDermott as the tournament’s leading century-maker, but in just 32 games compared to McDermott’s 100. Despite being overlooked for recent international T20 campaigns and IPL auctions, Smith continues to showcase his worth in the BBL, cementing his reputation as one of the game's all-time greats.
The win solidified the Sixers’ position near the top of the ladder, bringing them closer to the playoffs. For cricket fans, it was a performance to remember, a testament to Smith’s enduring brilliance and the thrill of T20 cricket at its finest.
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