Sydney, Jan 11 (NationPress) Steve Smith has matched the record for the highest number of centuries in the history of the Big Bash League (BBL), representing the Sydney Sixers against the Perth Scorchers on Saturday. The 35-year-old Australian cricketing legend played an impressive innings, scoring an undefeated 121 off a mere 64 deliveries, which included 10 fours and seven massive sixes, allowing him to reach this remarkable milestone.
This outstanding performance helped the Sixers amass a formidable total of 222/3 within their allocated 20 overs, setting the stage for an exciting match.
Smith's century was recorded off just 58 balls, marking his fourth career T20 century and his third in the BBL. With this achievement, he has equaled Ben McDermott's record for the most centuries in the competition. Notably, Smith reached this milestone in just his 32nd BBL innings, a significant contrast to McDermott's 100 matches played in the league.
This match marked Smith's first appearance in the current BBL season, having joined the Sixers after playing a crucial role in Australia's 3-1 triumph in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against India earlier in January. His return to the T20 format was nothing less than spectacular, dispelling any doubts after his previous BBL appearance last season concluded with a golden duck.
Smith’s exceptional performance on Saturday added to his impressive T20 record, which began with his first T20 hundred in the 2016 Indian Premier League (IPL). While playing for Rising Pune Supergiants, he scored a quick-fire 101 off 54 balls against the Gujarat Lions.
Despite his impressive achievements, Smith has not participated in the IPL since 2021 and was unsold during the 2024 mega auction held in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.
Smith's participation with the Sixers in this BBL season is limited due to national responsibilities. He is expected to play only two more league matches on January 15 and 17 before departing to lead Australia in a two-Test series against Sri Lanka, commencing on January 29. His absence from the playoffs, which will begin on January 21, will be a considerable setback for the Sixers.
