Sydney Sixers returned to the top of the table with a clinical 14-run win at home over the Perth Scorchers and practically confirmed their place in the playoffs with the result. Steve Smith led the team’s efforts with his third BBL century, ending up with a scintillating unbeaten 121 off 64 deliveries featuring 10 boundaries and seven maximums. However, beyond all the gorgeous shots and mayhem, it was a delivery where he made no contact with the bat that made the rounds in typical Smith style.
The veteran struggled to get off the blocks early in his innings and was stuck on 14 off 15 deliveries in the sixth with Andrew Tye about to deliver the penultimate delivery of his opening effort. The right-arm quick got his line all wrong and sprayed the Kookaburra a good yard down the leg side thus forcing a leave from the batter. However, Smith doesn’t do ordinary and the leave was not going to be mundane either. The former Aussie skipper, hoping to get under the ball as his stance suggested, inexplicably dropped down on one leg and lifted the bat high above his helmet with extended arms, al this time his torso turned towards midwicket and eyes fixated on the white rock travelling into the keeper’s hands.
The commentators unsurprisingly could not hold back their guffaws, well aware it was not the last time they would witness something extraordinary from the national icon.
What is this leave, Steve Smith? 😂#BBL14 pic.twitter.com/1q1YqjCRkm
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 11, 2025
