### Steve Smith Makes History in the Big Bash League with Record-Breaking Performance In a thrilling Big Bash League (BBL) match on January 16, 2026, Steve Smith of the Sydney Sixers delivered an extraordinary performance against the Sydney Thunder, setting multiple records. Smith scored a blistering century, reaching 100 runs off just 42 balls, which not only led his team to a five-wicket victory but also made him the first player in BBL history to score four centuries, surpassing David Warner's previous record of three centuries. His innings included a remarkable feat of hitting 32 runs in a single over, which featured four consecutive sixes off bowler Ryan Hadley, further solidifying his status as one of the league's top players [https://www.timesnownews.com/sports/cricket/steve-smith-creates-history-breaks-david-warner-record-to-become-first-player-ever-to-score-four-centuries-in-bbl-article-153460912, https://www.deccanchronicle.com/sports/steve-smith-blasts-big-bash-league-record-32-off-single-over-1930872]. ### Breakdown of Smith's Historic Performance 1. **Record-Breaking Century**: - Smith scored 100 runs off 42 balls, achieving the joint second-fastest century in BBL history [https://www.indianexpress.com/article/sports/cricket/steve-smith-32-runs-in-an-over-bbl-history-highest-century-10477844]. - This performance marked his fourth century in the BBL, surpassing David Warner's record [https://www.news9live.com/sports/cricket-news/bbl-steve-smith-lights-up-scg-with-record-breaking-century-2920138]. 2. **Explosive Batting**: - Smith hit a total of **nine sixes** and **five fours**, showcasing his aggressive batting style [https://www.devdiscourse.com/article/sports-games/3772371-steve-smith-shatters-bbl-century-records-leads-sixers-to-victory]. - His innings included a **107-meter six**, one of the longest of the season [https://www.indiatoday.in/sports/cricket/story/steve-smith-goes-berserk-in-bbl-smashes-107-metre-six-joint-second-fastest-century-2853086-2026-01-16]. 3. **Impact on the Match**: - The Sixers chased down a target of 190 runs set by the Thunder, with Smith's innings being pivotal in their success [https://www.crictracker.com/cricket-news/watch-bbl-2025-26-steve-smith-smashes-107m-monster-six-in-sydney-derby-4375]. - Smith's performance helped the Sixers climb to fourth place on the BBL ladder, while the Thunder remained at the bottom [https://www.sacricketmag.com/smith-blasts-big-bash-record-32-off]. ### Supporting Evidence of Smith's Achievements - **Performance Metrics**: - **Runs Scored**: 100 runs off 42 balls - **Strike Rate**: 238.09 - **Fours**: 5 - **Sixes**: 9 - **Runs in One Over**: 32 runs (four consecutive sixes) [https://www.thehindu.com/sport/cricket/big-bash-league-steve-smith-blasts-record-32-runs-from-one-over/article70517581.ece, https://www.tribuneindia.com/news/sports/steve-smith-surpasses-warner-for-most-tons-in-bbl-history]. ### Conclusion: A Historic Night for Steve Smith and the BBL Steve Smith's remarkable performance in the Sydney derby not only secured a vital win for the Sydney Sixers but also etched his name in the annals of BBL history. 1. **Historic Milestone**: Smith became the first player to score four centuries in BBL history, surpassing David Warner [https://www.newsbytesapp.com/news/sports/steve-smith-shines-with-a-century-in-bbl-against-thunder/story]. 2. **Explosive Innings**: His 100 runs off 42 balls, including a record 32 runs in a single over, showcased his batting prowess [https://www.cricket.com.au/news/4435560/sixers-v-thunder-bbl15-big-bash-sydney-smash-match-report-highlights-videos-scores-scg-starc-smith-warner-babar]. 3. **Team Impact**: The victory keeps the Sixers' finals hopes alive, demonstrating the importance of Smith's contributions to the team [https://www.nine.com.au/sport/cricket/bbl-news-2026-steve-smith-babar-azam-record-over-sydney-sixers-20260117-p5nuq2.html]. In summary, Smith's performance not only highlights his individual talent but also reinforces the competitive spirit of the BBL, making it a thrilling season for cricket fans.