WATCH: Sam Fanning’s pulls off heroic fielding effort at the boundary to delay Steve Smith’s century

Australian batting star Steve Smith continued his rich vein of form with a terrific century during the BBL game on Saturday. The 35-year-old hit 121 not out while opening the batting from 64 balls. Smith carried his bat through the innings and helped Sydney Sixers score 220/3 on the board from 20 overs. 

Smith was batting on 95 when he was facing pacer Jhye Richardson and got a low full toss outside off-stump. Steve Smith, played a flick shot that seemed certain to carry for a six only for Sam Fanning to dive and prevent the ball from going for a six. The fielder used the brilliant presence of mind to palm the ball back into play. It was a brilliant piece of fielding as Sam Fanning ensured that Steve Smith could get only two runs.

Watch the video here:

Steve Smith on 95...

And Sam Fanning saves a six doing THIS 😱 #BBL14 pic.twitter.com/JN37FxPq6R

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 11, 2025

Batting first Sydney Sixers lost Joshua Phillippe for 9 and Kurtis Patterson for 12 to be placed at 49/2. Skipper Moises Henriques joined Smith and added 113 runs for the third wicket in 51 balls before departing for 46. Ben Dwarshuis gave the final momentum with the bat with 23 not out from 7 balls with one four and three sixes. 

Also Watch: Steve Smith responds with magnificent century in BBL 2024/25 after getting unsold in IPL

Sydney Sixers hold their nerves to claim important win

Perth Scorchers needed 221 to win and saw their openers Sam Fanning and Finn Allen begin well. The pair added 36 runs in just 3.2 overs before Sean Abbott struck two quick blows. Abbott first dismissed Allen for 15 and followed it up with the scalp of Aaron Hardie for a golden duck. 

Sam Fanning and Cooper Connolly added 55 runs for the third wicket in 6 overs to keep Perth’s hopes alive. Sean Abbott struck for a third time getting the wicket of Connolly for 33 while Sam Fanning was dismissed for 41 runs by Hayden Kerr. 

Skipper Ashton Turner came to the party and struck 66 not out from 32 balls with six boundaries and two sixes. He found good support from Matthew Spoors who hit 28 off 17 balls as Perth put on a spirited performance. In the end, Moises Henriques used all his experience to help the Sixers win by 14 runs.