In a stunning display of power-hitting, Steve Smith has shattered a Big Bash League record with a blistering 41-ball century, leading the Sydney Sixers to a dramatic five-wicket victory over cross-town rivals the Sydney Thunder at the SCG on Friday night.
Smith Steals Warner's Thunder in Record Chase
The match was set up by a magnificent innings from veteran opener David Warner, who scored an unbeaten 110 runs from just 65 deliveries for the Thunder. Battling a knee injury that sidelined him earlier in the week, the 39-year-old Warner smashed his way to a fourth consecutive half-century and a full century, dominating the Sixers' bowling attack and even taking Test teammate Mitchell Starc for a six. His knock propelled the Thunder to a competitive total of 189 and placed him at the top of the BBL run-scoring charts.
However, any hopes Warner had of securing an upset win were swiftly extinguished by his long-time Australian teammate. Chasing 190 for victory, Smith, opening the batting with Babar Azam (47), launched an astonishing assault from the outset. The pair put on a 141-run opening stand, but it was Smith who provided the fireworks.
A Power Surge of Destruction
The defining moment came during the power surge. After controversially refusing a single off the last ball of the previous over – a decision that visibly frustrated partner Babar Azam – Smith took strike against Thunder bowler Ryan Hadley. What followed was pure carnage. The former Australian captain smashed Hadley for four consecutive sixes in a single over, plundering a record 32 runs from those six deliveries.
"We spoke at the 10-over mark and they said 'take the surge straight away' and I was like 'nah give it one over, I want to hit to the short boundary'," Smith explained to Channel 7 after the match. "I looked to try and get 30 off that over and I think we got 32 so a good result."
Smith's incredible innings of 100 runs included five fours and nine massive sixes, one of which hit the roof of the stadium. He briefly threatened the fastest BBL century of all time (39 balls) but had to settle for the second-fastest, a remarkable 41-ball ton. He was eventually stumped by Sam Billings off the bowling of Tanveer Sangha.
Sixers Seal Finals Berth Chance
Smith's dismissal, followed by quick wickets of Moises Henriques, Sam Curran, and Josh Philippe, gave the Thunder a glimmer of hope. But Jack Edwards (17 not out) sealed the deal for the Sixers, hitting another six off Ryan Hadley to win the match with 16 balls to spare.
The victory is crucial for the Sixers' finals campaign, lifting them into fourth place on the BBL ladder. They can now secure a finals berth with a win over the Brisbane Heat on Sunday. For the Thunder and a brilliant David Warner, it was a case of so near yet so far, utterly overshadowed by one of the most destructive innings in the tournament's history.
