Steven Smith gave a powerful reminder of this T20 skills, smashing an unbeaten 121 to lead the Sydney sixers to a 14-run victory over the Perth Scorchers.
After the intense Border Gavaskar Trophy, Steve Smith quickly adapted to T20 cricket, scoring a record-tying third BBL century in the Sydney Sixers’ dominant win over Perth Scorchers. Smith made an unbeaten 121 off 64 balls, marking his third century in his last seven BBL innings. The Sixers posted a total of 220 runs on a flat pitch, a target that was too much for the Scorchers, despite Ashton Turner’s 66* from 32 balls.
Smith started slowly, scoring less than a run per ball in the power play. However, Moises Henrique’s, batting at No. 4, gave the innings a boost. The pair added 113 runs for the third wicket in just 57 balls, with Henriques contributing 46 from 28 balls. Smith reached his half-century in 36 balls, including a lucky break when he was dropped on 31. He then accelerated, scoring his second 50 in just 22 balls. Smith hit three more sixes in the final over before walking off unbeaten to cheers from the SCG crowd.
Smith and Ben Dwarshius (23* off 7) helped the Sixers’ add 60 runs in the last three overs, pushing the total well over 200. The Scorchers, chasing 220, struggled early and were at 128 for 6 by the 14th over. Sam Fanning and Finn Allen briefly revived the chase with 36 runs in 3.2 overs before Sean Abbott took two quick wickets. Connolly made a fast 33, but he was also dismissed by Abbott, and Fanning’s 41 was ended by Hayden Kerr.
With the game nearly out of reach, captain Turner fought back and, with Matthew Spoors, added 66 for the seventh wicket. Turner reached a 50 off just 24 balls, bringing the target down to 55 from three overs. He reduced it further to 23 from the final over, but Henriques kept his cool and successfully defended the total, leading the Sixes to their fifth win of the season.