Steve Smith’s explosive batting lit up the Sydney Cricket Ground as Sydney Sixers demolished Hobart Hurricanes by 57 runs in the BBL 2025-26 Challenger, clinching a final showdown with Perth Scorchers on January 25. The Friday night clash highlighted the Sixers’ all-round prowess in posting 198 for 8 and restricting the opposition.
Batting first after the toss loss, Daniel Hughes and Steve Smith opened with a brisk 27-run stand in three overs. Hughes’ departure for 13 off 10 opened the door for Smith and Josh Philippe to plunder 64 runs in 39 balls, lifting Sixers to 91. Philippe’s 15 included two fours.
Smith’s momentum continued with Moises Henriks, adding 29 in just 16 balls to surpass 120. The centerpiece was Smith’s 65 off 43 deliveries – nine boundaries and a towering six – before he fell. Joel Davis chipped in with 27, and Lachlan Shaw’s 21 helped post a daunting target. Hurricanes’ bowlers Riley Meredith (3 wickets), Billy Stanlake (2), and Rishad Hussain (2) fought back but couldn’t stem the flow.
Hobart’s reply was derailed from the start. Openers Mitchell Owen (13) and Tim Ward (13) added 21 before perishing, leaving 29 for 2. Captain Ben McDermott’s counter-attacking 40 off 26 (3×4, 1×6) with Beau Webster (24) revived hopes via a 48-run partnership. However, Sixers’ bowlers dominated: Ben Dwarshuis (3/??), plus two-wicket hauls from Mitchell Starc, Sean Abbott, and Joel Davis, bowled Hurricanes out for 141 in 17.2 overs.
This victory underscores Sixers’ championship pedigree, setting the stage for an epic BBL final.