Steve Smith Smashes Third BBL Century, Equals Tournament Record

Steve Smith made a thunderous return to T20 cricket by smashing an unbeaten 121 in his first Big Bash League (BBL) match of the season. Opening forbbl the Sydney Sixers, Smith hit his fourth career T20 century—his third in the BBL—to lead his team to a record-breaking total at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

The Australian star, who was part of the squad that recently clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at home against India, seemed unstoppable on January 11. His knock powered the Sixers to 222/3, their highest-ever BBL score.

Steve Smith Breaks BBL Records 

Smith’s blistering innings came off just 58 balls, including 10 fours and seven towering sixes. It was his second-highest T20 score, only behind the 125* he smashed in January 2023. What’s more impressive? All his BBL centuries have come as an opener in the last two years.

Opening alongside Josh Philippe, Smith started cautiously. He batted at just over a run-a-ball till the halfway mark. However, he switched gears after a dropped catch by Cooper Connolly in the 10th over, making the Scorchers pay dearly.

In the 13th over, Smith brought up his half-century in 36 balls. By the penultimate over, he had reached his century, taking only 58 deliveries to achieve the milestone. He finished the innings in style, smashing three sixes off Jason Behrendorff’s final over.

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Steve Smith Equals BBL Century Record 

Smith’s third BBL century puts him at the top of the tournament’s century-makers list, tied with Hobart Hurricanes’ Ben McDermott. Only seven other players have hit multiple hundreds in BBL history, making Smith’s achievement all the more significant.

Here’s a quick look at the players with multiple BBL centuries:

Turning Point for the Sixers

Smith’s innings proved to be the turning point for the Sixers. After losing Philippe early to Behrendorff, Smith steadied the innings. Captain Moises Henriques chipped in with a quickfire 46 off 23 balls, while Ben Dwarshuis added the finishing touch with a seven-ball 23-run blitz.

Perth Scorchers’ decision to bowl first backfired as the Sixers piled up a mammoth total. Chasing 223, the Scorchers fell well short, handing the Sixers a comfortable victory.

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