Test superstar Steve Smith smashed the first century by a Sixers player in BBL history, achieving the milestone in just 56 balls in his side’s big win over the Strikers.
The Sydney side ended their innings with their highest-ever fourth quarter total, belting 5/203 with the 33-year-old leading the charge to send the Adelaide bowlers through the park.
The Strikers could only manage 9/144 in reply, despite Alex Carey’s impressive knock of 54 off 35 balls.
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Travis Head failed again, scoring just five to end his singular run in his first BBL12 appearance, with Matt Short (40) the only batsman in Adelaide’s top seven to reach double figures.
Test hopeful Todd Murphy impressed with the ball, taking 3/35 from his four overs, while Steve O’Keeffe also showed his experience, finishing with 2/24 without being hit for a boundary.
The Sixers have now reclaimed top spot on the BBL ladder, leapfrogging their top-flight rivals Perth Scorchers after beating them just two days ago.
During Smith’s 101 he hit an astonishing seven maximums and five boundaries on his way to 101, with Kurtis Patterson playing an impressive supporting role.
Smith sat on 95 and couldn’t help but hit a huge six to lift the bat, leaning in to sweep Ben Manenti’s bowling over the rope.
“It’s a six to take Steve Smith to a fabulous hundred … a man on a mission and a fine display of hitting power,” said Fox Cricket’s Isa Guha.
“The first man on this magenta field to lift the bat for a hundred, Steve Smith, well played,” Fox Cricket’s Brett Lee said.
Both Patterson (43) and Smith departed within three balls after the Test gun lifted the bat, with a running mishap sending the Test gun packing.
Moises Henriques dropped Smith, who had already committed to running two, and the centurion was unable to return to his crease.
Smith’s hundred shocked the cricketing world, but it almost never happened after a stroke of luck in the second half of the game.
Strikers’ off-spinner Harry Conway thought he had bagged the prized wicket when a defensive shot saw the ball run out on the stumps in the second over.
But luckily for the fans in attendance at the C.ex Coffs International Stadium, he stayed in the crease and caught fire.
“My word Steve Smith lives dangerously,” Fox Cricket’s Isa Guha said.
“It didn’t even light up, it was pretty quick to get the bat down … it made a big noise when it hit,” Fox Cricket’s Brett Lee said.
“The weakest of the taps, but strong enough for bails to come out safely,” Guha added.
Unfortunately for Conway, Smith then hit a six over cover the very next ball.
Cameron Boyce was the pick of the bowlers for the Strikers, taking 1/25 from his four overs, while Conway himself was hit for 0/48 from his 24 balls.
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