'Unsold' Steve Smith makes powerful statement to IPL teams with BBL century in 56 balls

Former Australia captain Steve Smith tched up his maiden century at Big Bash League (BBL) on Tuesday with a sensational 101-run kck in 56 balls for Sydney Sixers. As Sixers clashed against elaide Strikers at  Coffs Harbour International Stium, Smith’s hundred helped his team to reach a total of 203/5. team n bowled out Strikers in 19 overs on score of 144 runs to claim victory by 59 runs.

It is pertinent to mention that Smith survived a massive scare early on in his kck before striking a T20 hundred. Facing fourth ball of second over, he looked to play a defensive shot but ended up missing it. ball lost speed while brushing past batter and hit stumps with force.

Luckily bails didn’t fall off stumps and former captain received a lifeline. From being on two runs off two balls in 1.4 overs, Smith me most of chance and completed his century. He was involved in a 149-run stand for second wicket with Kurtik Patterson, who scored 43 runs off 33 balls.

Watch: Steve Smith survives early scare before smashing maiden BBL ton

Steve Smith's statement to IPL franchises

With sensational century, Smith me a powerful statement to IPL teams. former Aussie skipper was released by Delhi Capitals in 2022 and won’t feature in next edition of cash-rich tournament. 33-year-old warmed bench for most of his time with Delhi.

He has played a total of 103 IPL matches from 2012 to 2021 and has scored 2485 runs at an aver of 34.51 and a strike rate of 129.09. Interestingly, his highest individual score in IPL also stands at 101 runs. During his time in IPL, he represented several franchises like Pune Warriors, Rajasthan Royals, Rising Pune Supergiants, and Delhi Capitals.

Steve Smith found himself in helines in first week of 2023 by smashing his 30th Test century. 33-year-old surpassed legendary Sir Donald Brman in list of century scorers in Test cricket for Australia and tied Matw Hayden for third most centuries. Former skipper Ricky Ponting scored highest of 41 hundreds for team in 168 Test matches, while Steve Waugh hit 32 centuries in same amount of games.