Steve Smith struck an undefeated 121 from 64 deliveries, leading Sydney Sixers to a 14-run victory over Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League 2024-25.
Steve Smith made a sensational entry in the 2024-25 BBL season, smashing his third BBL century in the Sydney Sixers vs Perth Scorchers clash.
Perth Scorchers won the toss and chose to bowl first. Steve Smith opens with wicketkeeper batter Josh Philippe. Perth Scorchers made an early breakthrough when Jason Behrendorff removed Josh Philippe for 9 off 13 balls alongside Kurtis Patterson (12 off 11), who struggled to stay at the crease and was dismissed by Cooper Connolly.
Steve Smith, alongside captain Moises Henriques, steadied the innings and helped build the momentum for a long stay at the crease.
Steve Smith started his innings at a more measured pace, taking 36 balls to bring up his half-century, hitting seven fours and no sixes. However, he quickly accelerated, reaching his third BBL century off just 58 balls, adding seven sixes and 10 boundaries after the half-century.
It was one of the most impressive innings in BBL history, Smith blasted an incredible seven sixes before a massive crowd at the SCG.
Smith blasted 121* off 64 balls, Moises Henriques added a quickfire 46 off 28, and Ben Dwarshuis played a rapid cameo, scoring 23 off just 7 balls.
Sydney Sixers surged to a total of 220-3 by the end of their innings.
Chasing 221, Perth Scorchers lost their opener Finn Allen (15 off 7) and one down batter Aaron Hardie (0 off 1) on back-to-back deliveries by Sean Abbott in the fourth over of the game. Cooper Connolly (33 off 23) after playing a decent innings, was dismissed by Sean Abbott.
Sam Fanning, after Cooper Connolly, headed back to the pavilion having scored 41 runs off 29 balls. Perth Scorchers failed to gain momentum.
Ashton Turner scored (66 off 32) balls to give the Scorchers a glimmer of hope in the final stages, but the required 23 runs from the last over were too challenging to reach the target of 221.
Sean Abbott claimed 4 wickets for 43 runs.
In the end, they ended up with a total of 206-7 in 20 overs.
Player of the Match: Steve Smith 121* off 64.