Twitter reacts to Smith’s fifty on return eliminate Strikers as Sixers secure top two finish 

In response, the opening pair of Josh Philippe and Steve Smith failed to offer a pleasant start with the former getting caught inside the thirty-yard circle in the second over. While Smith struggled to time at the start, he adapted to the T20 format quickly, bludgeoning three big sixes inside a 47-run mandatory powerplay. Although he sold Jack Edwards down the river in an attempt of a double, Smith’s fifty in 27 balls kept the Sixers in the hunt until the ninth over. Jamie Overton returned to remove Smith for 52 followed by Jordan Silk getting trapped in front. With 92/4 in ten overs, the Sixers incurred another setback when Llyod Pope trapped Moises Henriques on the next ball with Lachlan Shaw and Ben Dwarshuis at the crease. The pair attacked the looseners while milking the others, steering the Sixers to 127/5 in 15 overs before the power surge was opted. 21 runs came off the floating powerplay for the loss of Dwarshuis. With 35 needed from the last three overs, the lower order waged 25 runs in the next couple of overs, reducing the equation to 10 needed off six balls. Eight runs came halfway through the over, needing two off just three which the tail surmounted convincingly.

He is the greatest batsman of Australia, does he play Test, ODI or T20

— CricTalkWith – Atif 🏏 (@cricatif) January 15, 2025

Ollie Pope playing T20 cricket is annoying

— 🖤 (@ameye_17) January 15, 2025