Steve Smith is in the form of his life in the T20 format. Smith seems to have reinvented his game in the shortest format in the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2022-23. Opening the innings for Sydney Sixers, Smith has been making mockery of the bowlers as he has scored 328 runs from just four innings including record two consecutive tons.
On January 23, Smith seemed to pick right where he left off as he was smashing Hobart Hurricanes bowlers all over the park. Smith had a chance to create a world record in T20s with three consecutive tons in the format.
However, his scintillating knock came to an end in the ninth over. He got dismissed off a juicy full toss from Nathan Ellis which hit him on the pads. Smith opted for the review as well but the hawkeye showed that the ball was clearly hitting the stumps.
Once again, Smith carried the Sixers' innings on his back with a 33-ball 66 which included four fours and six sixes. He got to his half-century from just 22 deliveries. The former Australian captain showcased his power-hitting skills and hit one out of the Hobart stadium.
His whirlwind 66-run knock helped Sixers post 180/7 after Hurricanes skipper Matthew Wade won the toss and opted to field first.
This is Smith’s best BBL season so far. He has hit 24 sixes in the season already. This is the most sixes hit by a Sixers batter in a season. The previous record belonged to Dan Christian who hit 18 sixes in BBL 2020-21.
Smith is also leading the list of batters with most sixes in the ongoing season. He is followed by big-hitter Tim David (18), Matthew Short (18), Aaron Hardie (17) and Oliver Davies (16).
Earlier, the 33-year-old returned to BBL after a gap of two seasons with a 36-run knock against Perth Scorchers. A couple of days later he scored his maiden BBL ton (101) against Adelaide Strikers. He followed it up with an unbeaten 125-run knock against Sydney Thunder.