Steve Smith’s maiden Big Bash League century had everyone asking the same question — why was this guy benched for the T20 World Cup?
The 33-year-old plundered an entertaining 101 (56) against the Adelaide Strikers at Coffs Harbour’s International Sports Stadium on Tuesday evening, becoming the first Sydney Sixers player to reach triple figures in the men’s competition.
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After a couple of early scares, Smith accelerated through the middle overs, combining with Sixers teammate Kurtis Patterson for a 149-run partnership for the second wicket.
The right-hander smacked seven sixes during his eye-catching onslaught, taking advantage of the regional venue’s short boundaries to bring up a century in the 15th over. It was a white-ball masterclass.
Smith would have inflicted further damage if not for a mix-up while running between the wickets in the 16th over, slipping on the pitch and failing to make his ground.
“It was a nice wicket so I was just pleased to be able to get us off to a nice start and post a decent total,” Smith told Fox Cricket.
“I just slipped over a bit, that happens. It’s unfortunate when you’re on 100 to get out run out when it’s almost free hit time pretty much.
“So that was disappointing, I would have liked to get a couple more at the end but wasn’t to be.”
Having been sidelined for most of Australia’s recent T20 World Cup campaign, Smith would have felt a sense of vindication while raising his bat and saluting the 9576 spectators on Tuesday. Australia, the reigning champions, were knocked out of the tournament after winning three of their four Super 12 matches, with poor net run rate proving their undoing.
Smith prefers batting in the top three in the game’s shortest format, but those positions were occupied by David Warner, Aaron Finch and Mitchell Marsh in the Australian XI.
The New South Welshman served in the middle order during the previous T20 World Cup, but he struggled to find any rhythm in the United Arab Emirates, finishing the 2021 campaign with 69 runs in four knocks at a strike rate of less than 100.
His T20I strike rate of 111.45 across 18 matches since the start of 2021 was cause for concern — he was scoring too slowly to warrant selection.
T20 globetrotter Tim David forced Smith out of the side ahead of the 2022 tournament, with national selectors opting for muscle over finesse in the middle order — but the decision backfired during Australia’s opening fixture against trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand at the SCG, rolled for 111 in pursuit of a 201-run target.
The hosts needed an anchor after crumbling to 3-34, but Smith, arguably the most equipped cricketer in the world for that situation, helplessly watched on from the dugout as the middle order tumbled.
“We came in power-hitting heavy and perhaps Steven Smith could be the guy that can come in and navigate tricky waters when they come,” former Australian batter Callum Ferguson told Channel 9 at the time.
“At the moment, it feels like if it’s not the perfect conditions maybe we’re susceptible when it starts swinging or the spinners get a hold of us in the middle of the innings.”
Former Test captain Mark Taylor continued: “It hasn’t been a thrash and bash tournament, you’ve needed someone to guide the innings and Australia sadly lacked a Steve Smith in that middle order.
“They went into the tournament saying they were going to play fearless cricket which is great, but I think preferring Tim David over Steve Smith in that batting order has been a mistake.”
Warner has already signalled his intention to take part in the 2024 T20 World Cup in the West Indies and the United States, but it remains to be seen whether Finch will continue plying his trade at international level for another 18 months.
If the Australian captain does step aside before next year’s tournament, Smith has put forward a fairly compelling case to fill the vacancy.
The Strikers were ultimately bowled out for 144, with the Sixers cruising towards a comfortable 59-run victory.
The Sixers will next face the Sydney Thunder in a cross-town derby at the SCG on Saturday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 7.05pm AEDT.
Smith century as Sixers smash Strikers | 04:01
