![[WATCH] Steve Smith Rides His Luck As Bails Remain In Place](https://cricfit.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/01/img_1604060593024_768.jpg "[WATCH] Steve Smith Rides His Luck As Bails Remain In Place")
On Tuesday, January 17, Sydney Sixers batter Steve Smith escaped an early dismissal before smashing his first BBL century against the Adelaide Strikers at the International Sports Stadium in Coffs Harbour.
Smith stole the show with a 56-ball 101 in only his second game for the Sydney Sixers in the BBL 2022-23. Overall, it was his second century in the shortest format.
Smith hit his first T20 century for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiants against the Gujarat Lions. It was the same score of 101 from 54 balls, with a strike rate of 187.03.
Steve Smith hit seven sixes and five boundaries on Tuesday, scoring 180.36 points to become the Sixers’ first three-figure scorer in BBL history. Smith edged out Joshua Philipe’s unbeaten 99 against the Melbourne Stars in the BBL 2021-22. However, Steve Smith was fortunate to avoid being bowled in the second over of the Sixers’ innings.
Smith attempted a defensive shot while batting at 2 against a length ball pitched near the off stump by Harry Conway. The ball rolled onto the stumps after hitting the batter’s pads. The bails remained intact and did not dislodge, much to the surprise of the bowler and the viewers.
Steve Smith scored a BBL hundred:
Ball hits stumps… bails stay on?
Steve Smith counting his blessings there 😅@KFCAustralia #BucketMoment #BBL12 pic.twitter.com/ksLRyXRrsN
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 17, 2023
On the next ball, Smith went down the track to slash the ball for a flat six. Hooks and slog sweeps were then displayed. Smith completed his spectacular century with a maximum over deep square leg. In the 16th over, he was run out by the combined efforts of Matthew Short and Alex Carey.
Kurtis Patterson (43 in 33 balls) shared a 149-run partnership with Steve Smith for the second wicket. Meanwhile, Jordan Silk (31* off 16 balls) and Daniel Christian (15 off 8 balls) cameoed to help the Sixers reach 203/5 in the first innings.
In response, the Strikers only managed 144 points, with Carey (54) contributing the most. For the Sixers, Todd Murphy and Ben Dwarshuis each took three wickets. With this win, the Sixers reclaimed first place in the BBL 2022-23 points table, with 17 points in 12 games.
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