BBL 2024-25: Steven Smith smashes several records with 3rd BBL century

Steven Smith announced his return to the Big Bash League (BBL) with a bang as he smashed 121* off just 64 balls while playing for his side, Sydney Sixers, against Perth Scorchers in match 30 of BBL 2024-25 on January 11 (Saturday) at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG).

With this ton, his third in the league’s history, Smith caught up with Ben McDermott as the player with the most centuries in the Australian T20 league. 

His knock of 121 not out also improved his batting average immensely, courtesy of which he now sits at the top of the list which says ‘best batting average in BBL history among players with at least 1,000 runs in the league.

Best average in BBL history (min 1000 runs)

Steven Smith - 45.88*

Brad Hodge - 42.78

Shaun Marsh - 40.72

Mitchell Marsh - 38.08

Kevin Pietersen - 37.00

Smith, who missed out on completing his 10,000 Test runs at his home ground of SCG by a solitary run during the fifth and final Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 against India just a week ago, made most of his stay at the wicket, hitting 10 fours and seven sixes while the opening the innings for the Pink Brigade. 

Thanks to his brilliant outing, the Sixers posted 222/3 in their 20 overs. Apart from Smith, James Vince of England is the only other Sixers player in the history of the league to have reached the three-figure mark.