Steve Smith smashes ‘absurd’ Big Bash ton as he becomes first Sixers player EVER to make a ton

Steve Smith stole the show on Tuesday night with an ‘absurd’ innings, becoming the first player in Sixers’ history to score a century in the Big Bash as Sydney beat the Strikers by 59 runs.

In front of a packed house in Coffs Harbour, the Aussie star bludgeoned his way to 101 off just 56 balls – the seven-fastest century ever in the BBL – to help the Sixers to 5-203.

Smith hit seven sixes and five fours in a brutal attack on Adelaide bowlers, bringing up his ton by sweeping Ben Manenti over the rope for a maximum.

The 33-year-old was handed a lifeline early one when the third ball he faced hit the stumps but failed to dislodge the bails.

Smith made the most of the reprieve to bring up a scintillating century, expertly supported by Kurtis Patterson, who made 43 off 33 balls. 

And the Test star was swiftly praised for his brilliant innings, with AAP cricket journalist Scott Bailey saluting his ‘absurd’ performance.

‘It’s actually disgusting how good Steve Smith is at cricket,’ tweeted Triple M and Channel 7 sports reporter Nat Yoannidis, while The Age chief cricket writer Daniel Brettig noted Smith’s ton vindicated the effort he put in working on his technique.

Scott Bailey described Smith’s innings against the Strikers on Tuesday night as ‘asburd’

Triple M and Channel 7 sports reporter Nat Yoannidis joked it was ‘disgusting’ to see Smith playing such a superb innings

The Age chief cricket writer Daniel Brettig noted Smith’s ton vindicated the effort he put in on working on his technique last year 

ESPN journalist Stuart Randall pondered why Smith wasn’t given a chance at the T20 WC

Throughout 2022, the Aussie batter worked tirelessly to open up his scoring options by eliminating his trademark shuffle across the stumps and looking to change his stance at the crease.

What made Smith’s innings even more remarkable was that it came just over two months after he failed to nail down a place in Australia’s team for the T20 World Cup.

Smith played just one game in the tournament, making four in Australia’s win over Afghanistan in their final pool match as the defending champions were knocked out on home soil.

‘Maybe Australia could’ve used the best batter of his generation at the T20 World Cup,’ said ESPN journalist Stuart Randall.

Smith’s ton was the seventh-fastest in Big Bash history and his first in the competition

The Aussie star was named Player of the Match after the Sixers won by 59 runs

Smith’s innings ended as he was being run out in comical circumstances after being sold short by Moises Henriques, who turned him back when he had already committed to running two.

The Strikers fell well short of chasing the target as they could only post 9-144 in response, with Alex Carey and Matt Short the only two Adelaide to reach double figures.

Carey made 54 off 35 balls, while Short made 40 from 24 balls. Todd Murphy, who was recently named in the Australia Test squad for the tour of India, finished took 3-35 and Steve O’Keefe claimed 2-24.

The win lifted the Sixers back on top of the BBL leader, reclaiming first place from the Perth Scorchers, whom they beat only two days ago.