The Sydney Derby has always been the crown jewel big bash leagueBut the 37th match of BBL|15 at the Sydney Cricket Ground on January 16, 2026 transcends the regular season rivalry. In a high-stakes match that felt like a grand final sydney sixers achieved a thrilling victory by five wickets sydney thunderThe strong target of 190 runs was achieved with 16 balls remaining. while the night had begun david warnerA timeless talent, it culminated with the SCG faithful being in a state of frenzy after witnessing Mahan’s career-defining masterpiece. steve smith.
Steve Smith scored a historic century against Sydney Thunder in BBL|15
Chasing 190 is never a walk in the park, even on a batting-friendly SCG surface, but Smith turned the target into a personal highlight reel. Opening the innings with Pakistan Babar AzamSmith looked aggressive from the first ball itself. The pair destroyed the Thunder’s early attack and scored 50 runs in the first four overs. Smith brought up his half-century in just 23 balls, punishing any short or wide with his trademark eccentric flicks and daring lofted drives.
The pace went from steady to historic during the middle overs. Smith’s rapport with Babar (47 off 39) provided the perfect platform as the duo stitched a 141-run opening partnership. However, it was Smith’s appetite for the big stage that stole the show. He treated the Thunder bowlers with utmost disregard and hit 9 sky-high sixes and 6 fours. He reached the triple-figure figure in just 41 balls, one of the fastest and most impressive centuries in BBL history. However he was eventually stumped Sam Billings Close Tanveer Sangha For exactly 100, the damage was irreparable. His 238.09 strike rate stunned the Thunder fielders and left fans in the stands cheering.
Sixers emerge victorious against Thunder in Sydney derby
Earlier in the evening, Sydney Thunder’s innings was a story of one man’s defiance against a disciplined Sixers bowling unit. Warner used his bat for the entire 20 overs and scored a brilliant 110 runs in 65 balls. despite losing Matthew Gilkes And Sam Billings Initially, Warner used a power surge to propel the innings, taking the Thunder to 189/6. Sam Curran He was the best bowler for the Sixers, taking 3 for 28 and delivered a brilliant triple-wicket haul in the 20th over that prevented the Thunder from crossing the 200-run mark – a factor that proved decisive.
Smith suffered a momentary setback during the Sixers’ chase. After Smith and Baber left early, the Thunder realized a narrow window of opportunity. nathan mcandrew (2/34) removed josh philip for 12, and chris green trapped moises henriques LBW to trigger a minor collapse of 5/28. However, the Sixers’ roster depth shined. jack edwards (8 out of 17*) and lachlan shaw (13* off 7) remained composed under pressure and hit boundaries with ease to end the game in just 17.2 overs.
Also read: Fans go crazy as David Warner hits his second century for Sydney Thunder in BBL|15
Here’s how fans reacted:
🚨 Steve Smith scored a century in just 41 balls in Big Bash 🚨
– Smith has played one of the best innings in BBL history in an important match for the Sixers. pic.twitter.com/ITAfqrfDT9
– Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 16 January 2026
🚨Steve Smith’s century in just 41 balls while chasing 190 against Thunder 🤯🔥
– Century in BBL ✅️
– Most BBL centuries of all time ✅️Steve Smith in legacy mode. Made different. 👑#stevesmith #BBL2026 #bbl15pic.twitter.com/izpCw07jVS
– Cricket Bhakt 💛 (@CricBhakt7380) 16 January 2026
It always feels strange for Steve Smith not to be selected by any IPL team. His gameplay is similar to Virat. When players like Virat, Rutu, Sai Sudarshan can play IPL with rotating strike mentality then why not Smith. His striking is better than the above players. https://t.co/WUfGOcQfYK
– Ashwin (@Ashwin8876432) 16 January 2026
Steve Smith scored 100 runs in 42 balls 🥶🤯 pic.twitter.com/FPjI2Idq1g
– Keshav Roy (@KeshavRoy7101) 16 January 2026
Steve Smith has the most centuries in Big Bash history 🤯🔥#BBL2026 pic.twitter.com/yjuLuYgk4H
– Devraj_Jansena_ (@_devaraj_pspk) 16 January 2026
The entire SCG is giving a standing ovation to Steve Smith. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/rg6YueSr4v
– Tanuj (@ImTanujSingh) 16 January 2026
History by Steve Smith 👑
Steve Smith has the most centuries in Big Bash history 🤯🔥#bbl #bblleague #stevesmith #australiacricket pic.twitter.com/gRYh9ReaBT
– SHIBiN SeBaSTiaN (@SHIBiNLeO7) 16 January 2026
There has been pure growth for Steve Smith in T20 in the last 3 to 4 years. Worked on his power-game, learned new gear, accepted change and adapted to modern cricket without losing his core game. Shows that even great players survive not by resting, but by evolving. https://t.co/Bgg4FP7FfB
– Rehan Mazhar (@rehanch_xxiii) 16 January 2026
Imagine Steve Smith returning as an opening batsman in the IPL next year – after what we saw today and his recent innings, everyone knows what he can do. Fearless, adaptable, and destructive when necessary. Any franchise would be lucky to have him; He really deserves a comeback in the IPL. pic.twitter.com/7gbGnYJQTc
– Usman Sheikh 🇮🇳 (@shaikhusman_7) 16 January 2026
Sydney Sixers, chasing 190 runs, defeated Thunder by 5 wickets in just 17.2 overs.#bbl15 #sydneysixers pic.twitter.com/jp8u74i55N
– CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) 16 January 2026
See also: Ahmed Hussain hits a powerful shot to dismiss Thomas Reeve in the U19 World Cup 2026
