BBL|14: Fans go wild as Steve Smith lights up SCG with scintillating century for Sydney Sixers against Perth Scorchers
In a match that will be remembered for his sheer class and dominance, Steve Smith gave a masterful performance for Sydney Sixers against Perth Scorchers in the 30th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25. Smith, known for his love affair with the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), orchestrated an innings that not only delighted the home crowd but also etched his name even further into BBL folklore.
A challenging start for the Sydney Sixers
The game started in challenging conditions for the Sixers with the ball holding the court, leading to a slow start. The Sixers managed just 19 runs on the powerplay, their lowest powerplay total of the season. However, as the innings wore on, the conditions seemed to favor Smith, who took the opportunity to showcase his batting prowess.
Key turning point: Steve Smith’s lucky escape
Smith, who was brought into the side for this game, makes a change James Vincehe began cautiously. His changes were not without nervous moments; his life was given on the 31st when Cooper Connolly dropped catch. That moment proved crucial as Smith, known for his resilience and technique, made the Scorchers pay for this lapse in judgement.
A century to remember: Ovations at SCG
As the innings progressed, it became apparent that Smith was in command of the conditions. He gradually shifted gears, combining elegant strokeplay with powerful sixes, leaving the Scorchers bowling attack gasping for answers. His scoring quickly escalated, and he soon celebrated his century, a moment that was met with a standing ovation from the SCG crowd, a testament to his popularity and skill at this venue.
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The Sixers got a huge run thanks to Smith’s heroics
His innings was characterized by a mixture of patience and aggression. Smith’s century was not just brute force; it was a display of cricketing intelligence, adapting to on-field behavior and exploiting it. The knock included a significant number of boundaries and sixes, showing his ability to change the tempo of the game once settled. Riding on their brilliant ton, the Sixers managed a mammoth total of 220/3 in 20 overs as Smith remained unbeaten on 121.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
100 FOR STEVE SMITH!
It’s his third BBL hundred, and he scored this one off just 58 balls 👏 #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/K6iqJ7HmYN
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 11, 2025
OVATION FOR STEVE SMITH AT SYDNEY CRICKET GROUND 🐐 pic.twitter.com/gQXlCdP0TC
— Ivanovi. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 11, 2025
You will never see anything better than that 🤯
222 is our highest total score 👏👏👏
It’s time to defend! pic.twitter.com/xk6hYcze6b
— Sydney Sixers (@SixersBBL) January 11, 2025
Steve Smith is a seriously good T20 opener these days…. #big one
– Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 11, 2025
An Australian summer is incomplete without Steve Smith scoring a hundred at the SCG ❤
— JustMyThoughts (@shaibal_27) January 11, 2025
Steve Smith hits the same area with two different shots. pic.twitter.com/sTXUZi8Ygw
— Silly point (@FarziCricketer) January 11, 2025
Steve Smith’s ton takes Sydney Sixers total to 220
LIVE result: https://t.co/bcoTBSEYDa#cricket #SSvPS #SteveSmith #BBL14 #BBL #T20 pic.twitter.com/DnSxOQrMDq
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) January 11, 2025
Steve Smith 💯
This is the 3rd Big Bash Ton in the last 7 innings. pic.twitter.com/PWSEvM9Uuz
— 𝐀𝐥𝐥 𝐀𝐛𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐀𝐮𝐬𝐭𝐫𝐫𝐥𝐢𝐚 🦘🇦🇺 (@AdvocateMessi) January 11, 2025
Steve Smith in BBL from 2022/23:
36, 101, 125*, 66, 18, 61, 0, 121*.
Changes – 8
Races – 528
Average – 88.0
Strike rate – 173.11
sixes – 33– STEVE SMITH’S FUNNY NUMBERS..!!!! 🥶 pic.twitter.com/wS6uEbFjjX
— Tanuj Singh (@ImTanujSingh) January 11, 2025
Almost 40,000 people came to SCG just to watch his incomparable batting. He delivered again for all of them! When Steve Smith doesn’t play in the league, the crowd goes away. When it comes; they come naturally! STEVE SMITH is a brand! pic.twitter.com/8ms0cnQKmN
— Cric Bug (@Smithian_here) January 11, 2025
We tend to forget what a force Steve Smith was in the IPL for several years in the last decade. He always had the kind of T20 skills required to finish games from the top. Still a chance for the T20 World Cup in India next year? #BBL14
— Bharat Sundaresan (@beastieboy07) January 11, 2025
SCG stands up pic.twitter.com/A5GkKaF8hW
— forge (@stevesmith50) January 11, 2025
💯 for Steve Smith in the BBL#SteveSmith#cricket pic.twitter.com/aDkurGUjJn
— Haris (@___5764HRS) January 11, 2025
A possible Steve Smith might be too good for the BBL #BBL14
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) January 11, 2025
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