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Steve Smith makes mockery of World Cup call in stunning BBL century

The Aussie cricket star made history with a sparkling century for the Sydney Sixers against the Adelaide Strikers.

sam goodwin
Sports Editor
·5-min read
Steve Smith, pictured here after scoring a brilliant century in the Sydney Sixers' win over the Adelaide Strikers.
Steve Smith scored a brilliant century in the Sydney Sixers' win over the Adelaide Strikers. Image: Getty

Steve Smith has proven he is very much a T20 player, making a complete mockery of national selectors after they left him out of a number of key matches at the recent World Cup. Smith became the first male player to score a century for the Sydney Sixers on Tuesday night, blasting 101 off 56 balls in the BBL.

The masterful innings lifted the Sixers to a 59-run victory over the Adelaide Strikers in Coffs Harbour and made a fool of anyone who said Smith wasn't a T20 player. In just his second game back in the BBL after a three-year hiatus, Smith equalled his highest score in T20s and combined with Kurtis Patterson (43) for the largest partnership in the BBL this season.

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"I was pretty much going to try and hit every ball for six from there on, when I got out," Smith told Fox Sports after his innings came to an end. "That happens. It was a good total and the boys defended it really nicely. It's been nice to be back."

The incredible display came after Smith was overlooked on a number of occasions during the T20 World Cup last October. The prolific Test batter was part of the Aussie squad that failed to make the semi-finals, but was only used in one out of four matches.

Smith's only appearance came against Afghanistan and was left out of the XI for games against New Zealand, Sri Lanka and Ireland. Selectors preferred the likes of Aaron Finch, Marcus Stoinis and Tim David over Smith, thinking his skills in the T20 game weren't up to scratch.

However he proved the naysayers wrong in one emphatic 56-ball innings on Tuesday night. Fans were quick to remind selectors of their decision on Smith on social media.

Cricket world in awe of wonderful Steve Smith knock

Smith's innings came to an end when he slipped while turning back towards his crease after abandoning plans for a second run. He was run out by Matt Short as a result.

Sixers captain Moises Henriques said after the game: β€œSteve was batting on a different wicket tonight. It was a hell of a knock.

β€œWe probably could’ve got 220 if we didn’t run him out there. Obviously a mix-up in the middle between us, but I was wanting him to face as many balls as possible and he’s still trying to come back for two. It cost him probably 30 or 40 (runs) out there, but that’s OK."

Steve Smith, pictured here during Australia's clash with Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup.
Steve Smith looks on during Australia's clash with Sri Lanka at the T20 World Cup. (Photo by Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The Strikers had three early chances to dismiss Smith, with the ball rolling slowly onto the stumps but failing to remove the bails when he was on two. The 33-year-old then went into overdrive, taking the Adelaide bowlers to all parts of the ground.

After Smith helped the Sixers post a total of 5-203, spinner Todd Murphy had a hand in three wickets and finished with his best BBL figures of 3-35. The loss means the Strikers desperately need to defeat the second-placed Perth Scorchers on Friday to keep their slim finals hopes alive.

"I was really happy with the bowling performance because it was a very good batting wicket. I thought we were really clinical," Henriques said.

with AAP

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