Steve Smith etched his name in history books with an incredible century for the Sydney Sixers in the Big Bash Lerague (BBL). This was only his second apperance of the season and he went on to score a hundred in fine fashion and helped the team in defeating arch-rivals Sydney Thunder in what was a must-win match for them.
Chasing a target of 190, Smith brought up his century after facing only 41 deliveries as the Sixers got off to a brilliant start. He formed a humongous 141-run stand alongside Babar Azam, who eventually lost his wicket for 47 runs. Though the Australia batter was dismissed for exactly 100 runs in the 14th over, Sixers went on to chase down the target with 16 deliveries left to spare.
Smith shatters massive record
The hundred was Smith's fourth in the league and it saw him become the player with the most tons in the league's history. David Warner had equalled his and Ben McDermott's tally of three centuries each earlier during the game. He had remained unbeaten on 110 and had helped the Thunder in posting a formidable total on the board. However, Smith broke the record later on in the match.
Players with the most hundreds in BBL history -
1. Steve Smith - 4 centuries
2. David Warner - 3 centuries
3. Ben McDermott - 3 centuries
4. Craig Simmons - 2 centuries
5. Mitch Owen - 2 centuries
Not just this, Smith's 41-ball hundred was also the joint second-fastest ton scored in the tournament's history. Though the batter did have the chance to break the current record of 39 deliveries, he eventually missed out and was only able to complete his century a couplle of balls later. He equalled both Glenn Maxwell and Josh Brown with the fine hundred.
Players with the fastest centuries in BBL history -
1. Craig Simmons - 39 deliveries
2. Mitch Owen - 39 deliveries
3. Steve Smith - 41 deliveries
4. Glenn Maxwell - 41 deliveries
5. Josh Brown - 41 deliveries
Insane playoff race in BBL
Meanwhile, the Sixers defeated Thunder by five wickets and moved up to the fourth place on the BBL standings with 11 points. The playoff race is heating up as Hobart Hurricanes sit at the top with 13 points, followed by Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars at 12 points each.The Sixers and Brisbane Heat sit fourth and fifth with 11 and 10 points respectively. Hurricanes have already booked their spot in the playoffs, but the rest of the three spots are yet to be decided and the four teams in contention have one game each left.