Australia's Steve Smith has not played a T20I match since February 2024 and wasn't picked in the squad for ICC T20 World Cup 2024. However, on the back of the form in Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25, Smith in his first match of the ongoing Big Bash League (BBL) 2024-25 season, smashed his fifth T20 century. At Sydney Cricket Ground where Australia scripted history by winning the Border-Gavaskar series 3-1 after a decade, Smith enthralled the crowd with an unbeaten 121-run knock as opener for Sydney Sixers against Perth Scorchers on January 11.
Smith equalled the record for most centuries in the BBL history. This is his third BBL century and fifth overall. His 121-run knock was studded with 10 fours and seven sixes. Hobart Hurricanes opener Ben McDermott is the only other batter with three centuries in BBL history.
Smith carries his bat after third ton
Earlier, Perth Scorchers captain Ashton Turner won the toss and opted to bowl first. Josh Philippe lost his wicket to Jason Behrendorff early in the innings. Smith batted at just over run-a-ball till the halfway mark. Heis catch was dropped by Cooper Connolly in the 10th over. He was batted on 31 then.
In the 13th over, he reached his fifty from 36 balls. Meanwhile, Moises Henriques launched an onslaught in the middle overs. In the 17th over, Henriques was dismissed for a 28-ball 46. Ben Dwarshuis smashed Andrew Tye for a couple of sixes and a four in the 18th over. In the penultimate over, Smith reached his century from 58 balls. In the final over, he entertained the crowd more with three sixes off Behrendorff. His knock helped Sydney Sixers posted 222/3 for on the board.
Only three BBL matches
Smith has been allowed to play only three BBL matches by Cricket Australia (CA). Then, Smith-led Australian team will head to UAE for a pre-tour camp to prepare for the two-Test series of Sri Lanka. Smith has been handed captaincy in the absence of Pat Cummins as he has opted to rest after Australia booked their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 final.