Steve Smith brought up his maiden century in the Big Bash League against Adelaide Strikers. He also broke a 12-year hoodoo for the Sydney Sixers, becoming the first men’s centurion for the club after seven previous scores in the nineties. With a slog-swept six, finishing with a whirlwind 56-ball 101.
Returning to the BBL this season after a three-year absence, as a short detour before he heads to India for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Smith notched his second century in T20 cricket, and the first on Australian soil. His first T20 ton came for the Rising Pune Supergiants in IPL 2016.
He finished with seven sixes, propelling the Sixers to 203-5 against Adelaide Strikers at Coffs Harbour, in his second BBL game of the season.
Luck favors the brave: The slice of luck in Steve Smith’s historic ton
There was a slice of luck too: when on 2 off 2, he nearly inside edged a delivery from Harry Conway onto his stumps. The ball slowly rolled off him and onto the stumps, but could not dislodge the bails. Conway even began celebrating, but Smith survived. From being on two runs off two balls in 1.4 overs, Smith made the most of the chance and completed his century. He was involved in a 149-run stand for the second wicket with Kurtik Patterson, who scored 43 runs off 33 balls.
His seventh six – a slog sweep off Ben Manenti – took Smith past the three-figure mark. Smith received a standing ovation from the crowd after creating history for the Sixers. However, he was dismissed the very next over. A slight mix-up with Moises Henriques while stealing a second run, and a slip of his studs, resulted in a run out.
‘Unsold’ Steve Smith makes statement to IPL franchises
With the sensational century, Smith made a powerful statement to the IPL teams. The former Aussie skipper was released by Delhi Capitals in 2022 and won’t feature in the next edition of the cash-rich tournament. The 33-year-old warmed the bench for most of his time with Delhi.
He has played a total of 103 IPL matches from 2012 to 2021 and has scored 2485 runs at an average of 34.51 and a strike rate of 129.09. Interestingly, his highest individual score in the IPL also stands at 101 runs. Moreover, during his time in the IPL, he represented several franchises like the Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiants, and Delhi Capitals.
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