"Steve Smith should've been in the World Cup and he's showing why" - Fans in awe of the Test specialist's splendid ton in the BBL 

Former Australia skipper Steve Smith asserted his credentials as an all-format player with a blistering hundred for the Sydney Sixers against the Adelaide Strikers on January 17. He scored 101 runs off 56 deliveries to help his side post a mammoth total in a bid to claim the top spot in the Big Bash League (BBL) table.

The right-handed batter, who returned to the Sixers following last season's debacle, scored 36 off 27 deliveries in his return while opening the batting.

He slotted in at the top of the batting order once again with Josh Phillippe as the Adelaide Strikers won the toss and decided to bowl first. He was joined by Kurtis Patterson after Matt Short struck in the very first over of the contest.

The ace batter received a huge reprieve straightaway after the ball ricocheted off the stumps, but the bails held true to their groove. Smith hit his first boundary in the form of a six, the very next ball, and he did not turn back. He was the aggressor during the second-wicket partnership and did the bulk of the scoring.

He brought up his fifty off 30 balls and sped through after the 10-over mark. He consistently scored boundaries and brought up his second T20 hundred with a six as well, reaching the landmark figure off 56 deliveries. He also became the first Sixers player to reach the three-figure mark. Prior to this, the highest score notched by a player from the franchise was 99 by Josh Phillippe.

Fans were in awe of Smith, who flawlessly transitioned from Australia's red-ball season to the frenzied pace of the BBL.

Here are some of the reactions on Twitter:

Two Bob

@Bob2u

Outstanding Smudger #BigBash #SteveSmith #Coffs

1

Outstanding Smudger #BigBash #SteveSmith #Coffs

Amith Madhav

@Amith_2K

Steve smith scored a ton in t20, I’m in disbelief

Steve smith scored a ton in t20, I’m in disbelief

Rajaditya Ghosh

@rajadityax

@Carpo34 Steve Palpatine Smith

@Carpo34 Steve Palpatine Smith https://t.co/rmcNDOQBFr

Dan Cancian

@dan_cancian

If Steve Smith starts being so good at T20 cricket we're all in a world of trouble.

1

If Steve Smith starts being so good at T20 cricket we're all in a world of trouble.

sam🏆🏆

@sammiee_k

Incredible knock Steve Smith. World Class

1

Incredible knock Steve Smith. World Class

Will Faulkner

@willzfaulk

That is without a doubt one of the best @BBL hundreds I’ve ever seen - even for Steve Smith, that was next level #BBL12

5

That is without a doubt one of the best @BBL hundreds I’ve ever seen - even for Steve Smith, that was next level 📈 #BBL12

Cricket Australia Fan

@CricketAustFan

Steve Smith what a knock this has been! #BBL12

1

Steve Smith what a knock this has been! #BBL12

Cricket/76ers posting (26-16)

@KickpunchP

Who else bats a Century in a T20 Match? Steve fucking Smith that's who twitter.com/KickpunchP/sta…

Cricket/76ers posting (26-16)

@KickpunchP

Steve Smith back in T20 let's hope he looks better than Warner has

1

Steve Smith back in T20 let's hope he looks better than Warner has

Who else bats a Century in a T20 Match? Steve fucking Smith that's who twitter.com/KickpunchP/sta… https://t.co/UuUon647ly

Megan Maurice

@meganmaurice

Pretty sure it was always fated that Steve Smith had to be the first men’s Sixers player to get a century #BBL12

7

Pretty sure it was always fated that Steve Smith had to be the first men’s Sixers player to get a century #BBL12

Richo

@Steve_Richo1

Steve Smith is not human.

Steve Smith is not human.

Garry Armstrong 🎣

@gohorsie

Steve Smith cracks a great Ton in the #BBL12
Que the haters

Steve Smith cracks a great Ton in the #BBL12
Que the haters

Shubh Aggarwal

@shubh_chintak

A BBL ton for Steve Smith. In his second game for the Sixers this season after returning from Test cricket. Off 56 balls. Gets there with a six. Who would have thought!? #BBL

2

A BBL ton for Steve Smith. In his second game for the Sixers this season after returning from Test cricket. Off 56 balls. Gets there with a six. Who would have thought!? 💥 #BBL

Jon Tuxworth

@Tuxy81

This could be the innings that kickstarts Steve Smith’s career. #bbl

3

This could be the innings that kickstarts Steve Smith’s career. #bbl

Ashlee

@_itsashleeee_

Steve Smith with a century in the big bash. I never thought I would see it but nicely played 🏻 #BBL12

6

Steve Smith with a century in the big bash. I never thought I would see it but nicely played 👏🏻 #BBL12

Willo

@willo132

Take a bow Steve Smith 🤝 #BBL12

6

Take a bow Steve Smith 🤝 #BBL12

Ross

@rosswern

Batting masterclass from Steve Smith tonight @SixersBBL #BBL12

Batting masterclass from Steve Smith tonight @SixersBBL #BBL12

Ben - Teach - Back to Back premiership supporter.

@pantherman45

Steve Smith isn't really a T20 player so this is even more of a knock!

1

Steve Smith isn't really a T20 player so this is even more of a knock!

ÐξЯ†УÐØĠ

@Dertydog_Games

Steve Smith should've been in the world cup and he's showing why #BBL12

1

Steve Smith should've been in the world cup and he's showing why #BBL12

Steve Smith was run out for 101; Sixers score 203-5 off 20 overs

Steve Smith's innings came to an unfortunate end after he was run out in the 16th over, with Moises Henriques at the other end. A full-fledged dive was not enough as the former Aussie skipper fell short and had to depart for the pavilion.

This marked his second ton in the shortest format. His maiden scaling of the three-figure mark came for the now-defunct Rising Pune Supergiant against the Rising Pune Supergiant in the 2016 season of the Indian Premier League (IPL).

It is also to be noted that Smith warmed the bench for Australia over the course of the T20 World Cup 2022. He could only amass one appearance, which came in the form of the team's final Super 12 contest against Afghanistan before they were eliminated before making it to the knockout stages on home soil.

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