Steve Smith produced a breathtaking display of power-hitting in the BBL 2025–26 as he smashed the joint second-fastest century in tournament history during the Sydney Derby between the Sixers and Thunder at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Friday, January 16. The Sixers skipper brought up his hundred off just 41 balls, matching Josh Brown’s effort from 2024, when the Brisbane Heat batter reached three figures in the same number of deliveries against the Adelaide Strikers.
Only Craig Simmons and Mitchell Owen sit above Smith, having scored centuries off 39 balls, but the Australian great made the night his own with an innings of pure dominance. One of the standout moments came in the fourth over when Smith launched Nathan McAndrew for a colossal 107-metre six over mid-wicket after clearing his front leg and striking the ball cleanly from the middle of the bat.
Smith eventually scored 100 off 42 balls, peppering the boundary with five fours and nine towering sixes before leg-spinner Tanveer Sangha brought his stunning knock to an end. Smith also recorded the fastest BBL century by a Sixers’ batter, going past his own record off 56 balls against the Thunder in 2023.
SMITH TAKES DOWN THUNDER
Smith smashed a record-breaking 32 runs in the 12th over, the most expensive over in BBL history, against Ryan Hadley. He opened with a six over deep backward square-leg, followed by two more towering sixes, then a free-hit four, and finished with a perfectly timed cover drive for two. Smith’s flawless footwork, timing, and power left the bowler helpless and the crowd in sheer awe.
Sixers rode on a blistering innings from Smith to chase down 190 and secure a 5-wicket win over Thunder. Smith reached his fifty off just 23 balls before completing his century, setting the tone for the chase. Babar Azam contributed a steady 47, providing stability at the top, while late cameos from Lachlan Shaw and Jack Edwards ensured the Sixers crossed the line with 16 balls to spare.
For the Thunder, David Warner’s valiant century went in vain. Despite his 110 off 65 balls, wickets fell at the other end, preventing any meaningful partnerships. Nic Maddinson and Sam Billings offered sporadic resistance, but the Thunder could not maintain momentum, leaving Warner’s effort overshadowed by Sixers’ dominance.
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Published By:
sabyasachi chowdhury
Published On:
Jan 16, 2026
