In a season defined by high-octane drama and superstar performances, the 37th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2025-26 will be remembered as the night the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) witnessed a historic duel of centuries. On January 16, 2026, the Sydney Derby delivered everything cricket fans could ask for, as modern-day legends David Warner and Steve Smith traded hundreds in a spectacular display of T20 batting.
The Toss and Early Strategies
The atmosphere at the SCG was electric as Sydney Sixers captain Moises Henriques won the toss and elected to bowl first. The decision was rooted in the hope of utilizing early evening conditions, but the Sixers soon found themselves at the mercy of David Warner. Leading the Sydney Thunder, Warner was in a destructive mood from the outset. Alongside Matthew Gilkes, he built a solid foundation with a 56-run opening stand. While Gilkes struggled to find his rhythm, falling for 12, Warner remained unbothered, anchoring the innings with a blend of power and precision.
Warner’s Masterclass Propels the Thunder
As wickets fell around him—Sam Konstas for 6 and Sam Billings for 14—Warner accelerated. He found a reliable partner in Nic Maddinson, and together they shifted the momentum with an 84-run partnership. Warner’s innings was a vintage display, featuring 11 boundaries and 4 towering sixes. He remained unbeaten on 110 off just 65 balls, carrying his bat through the innings to guide the Thunder to a formidable 189/6.
The Sixers’ bowling attack had a mixed outing. Sam Curran was the standout performer, showing exceptional control to finish with figures of 3/28 from his four overs. Mitchell Starc and Jack Edwards chipped in with a wicket each, but the rest of the attack struggled to contain Warner’s onslaught during the death overs.
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The Sixers’ Explosive Reply
Chasing 190 was never going to be easy, but the Sixers’ opening duo of Babar Azam and Steve Smith made it look remarkably simple. In a partnership that silenced critics of their T20 strike rates, they dismantled the Thunder’s bowling attack. Babar Azam played the role of the aggressor early on, striking 47 off 39 balls with seven crisp boundaries.
However, it was Steve Smith who truly stole the show. In a display of tactical genius and raw power, Smith took total control of the chase. A defining moment occurred just before the Power Surge when Smith strategically denied Babar a single to ensure he kept the strike. What followed was carnage; Smith dismantled the Thunder’s bowlers, including a record-breaking 32-run over against Ryan Hadley. Smith’s century came off a mere 42 deliveries, adorned with 5 fours and a staggering 9 sixes, including one that reportedly traveled 110 meters and hit the SCG roof.
Thunder’s Fightback and the Final Blow
Despite the dominance of the openers, the Thunder refused to go down without a fight. Nathan McAndrew provided a glimmer of hope by removing Babar Azam and then Josh Philippe in quick succession. When Tanveer Sangha managed to stump Steve Smith for exactly 100, the SCG crowd held its breath as the Sixers lost four wickets for just 28 runs.
However, the damage inflicted by the opening stand was too great to overcome. With the required rate well under control, Lachlan Shaw and Jack Edwards stayed composed to navigate the final few runs. The Sixers reached the target of 191/5 with 16 balls to spare, securing a 5-wicket victory that solidified their place in the top four and kept their championship aspirations alive.
A Historic Night at the SCG
Steve Smith was deservingly named Player of the Match, not just for his century, but for the record-breaking nature of his knock. By reaching three figures, he became the batter with the most centuries in BBL history, leapfrogging the very man he shared the pitch with, David Warner. This Sydney Smash lived up to its billing, proving that even in the shortest format, the class of veteran superstars remains the ultimate drawcard for the game. For the fans in attendance, it was a rare privilege to see two of Australia’s greatest-ever batsmen score centuries in the same T20 encounter.
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