Former Australia captain Steve Smith demonstrated his versatility by scoring a century for the Sydney Sixers against the Adelaide Strikers on January 17. He scored 101 runs off 56 deliveries to help his side post a massive total in their bid to win the Big Bash League (BBL).
The right-handed batter, who returned to the Sixers after last season’s debacle, batted first and scored 36 runs on 27 deliveries. He replaced Josh Phillippe at the top of the batting order after the Adelaide Strikers won the toss and chose to bowl first. After Matt Short struck in the first over of the game, he was joined by Kurtis Patterson.
The ace batter was given an immediate reprieve after the ball ricocheted off the stumps, but the bails remained in their groove. Smith hit his first boundary, a six, on the very next ball and did not look back. During the second-wicket partnership, he was the aggressor and scored the most runs.
He hit 50 off 30 balls and sped through after the 10-over mark. He consistently hit boundaries and added a six to his second T20 century, reaching the landmark figure off 56 deliveries. He was also the first Sixers player to earn a three-figure salary. Prior to this, the franchise’s highest score was 99, achieved by Josh Phillippe.
Steve Smith smashes a hundred in BBL:
Steve Smith, what a way to bring up your maiden #BBL ton! 💥#BBL12 | @BKTtires | #GoldenMoment pic.twitter.com/iFOesNfeIJ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 17, 2023
Steve Smith’s innings was cut short when he was run out in the 16th over by Moises Henriques at the other end. A full-fledged dive was insufficient, as the former Australian skipper fell short and had to return to the pavilion.
This was his second century in the shortest format. His first three-figure score came in the 2016 Indian Premier League season for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant against the Rising Pune Supergiant (IPL).
It should also be noted that Smith warmed the bench for Australia during the T20 World Cup 2022. He only made one appearance, in the team’s final Super 12 game against Afghanistan, before they were eliminated before reaching the knockout stages on home soil.
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