Steve Smith broke a Big Bash League record on his way to a scintillating century for the Sydney Sixers in a match against Sydney Thunder. The Australia international slammed bowler Ryan Hadley for 32 runs, which included 4 back to back sixes, in an over- the highest in BBL history- in a 189-run chase.
The over in question was the 12th one in the Sixers’ innings as Smith picked apart Hadley from the first ball itself. He started with a huge six over the deep backward square-leg and then followed it up with another monster over the long-on boundary. There was no respite for the bowler as Smith smashed the third ball for another six over the deep backward square-leg and then flicked the next ball over the deep square-leg fence.
The fifth ball was a no ball which Smith took for a four before ending the over playing a wide and 2 runs with the final score in the over standing at 32 runs. Smith went to 88 in this over before completing his ton in the 14th over in an innings peppered with a total of 5 fours and 9 sixes.
That was extraordinary 😳
Here are the highlights of Steve Smith’s insane 100 off 41 balls at the SCG! pic.twitter.com/6fiWbJnTEJ
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 16, 2026
Ultimately, Smith departed for 100 and Lachlan Shaw and Jack Edwards dragged the Sixers over the line.
“Yeah it was a nice wicket, obviously chasing 190 had to get off to a nice start. Babar and I had a really nice partnership there that set up the platform. And then got to the Surge and it was go time. So, yeah, fortunate enough to hit a few over the fence on the Surge and get us in front of the race. Top of the bounce, flick behind square. Probably 110. Yeah, it felt like it was a bit shorter this side. Maybe a bit of wind going that way as well. And just felt the seamers were probably the right match-up at that stage. I thought they would come and bowl into the wicket. I was just gonna try and launch a few and yeah, happened to hit a few in the middle,” smith said after the match.
“Yeah, so we spoke at the 10-over mark and they said, take the Surge straight away. I was like, no, give it one over. I want to hit to the short boundary and I don’t want to screw up the first over. And I looked to try and get 30 off that over. I think we got 32. So it’s a good result. I’m not sure Babar was too happy with me knocking back that single though,” he added.
