“Right in the nasty area”: Steve Smith flat-bat shot hits Moises Henriques in the abdomen during Sydney derby

During the 50th match of the ongoing 12th season of the Big Bash League between Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney Sixers batter Steven Smith scored his third T20 century to play a pivotal role in a massive 125-run victory.

Opening the batting alongside wicket-keeper batter Joshua Philippe (10), Smith batted throughout their 19-over innings scoring 125* (66) with the help of five fours and nine sixes. Smith, who batted at a strike rate of 189.39, became the first-ever cricketer to score consecutive centuries in the Big Bash.

Smith, 33, is otherwise only the third batter after Craig Simmons and Ben McDermott to score a couple of centuries in the same BBL season.

The right-handed batter shared an 155-run third-wicket partnership alongside captain Moises Henriques (45*). 10th highest BBL partnership, it is the highest for the third wicket in this tournament.

Steve Smith flat-bat shot hits Moises Henriques in the abdomen during Sydney derby

Known to play atypical cricketing shots, Smith’s latest innings wasn’t deprived of his usual instincts as the Australian Test captain was seen using his innovations to the best of his abilities.

However, one such shot didn’t yield any result for Smith. Instead, it ended up hitting Henriques at the non-striker’s end. Not averse to playing flat-bat tennis-like shots in Test cricket, Smith chanced an opportunity in the BBL as well but only for the ball to be stopped by his batting partner.

In what seemed to be a funny incident for commentators and fans, it was a bit painful for Henriques as the ball hit him around the abdominal guard. “Right in the nasty area,” a Fox Sports commentator chirped before indulging in a brief laughter session with his co-commentators.

In what was their second dismal batting effort of the season, Thunder were bundled out for 62 in 14.4 overs in a clueless performance. Barring a couple of batters, their batters even failed to elongate their contributions to double digits.

Veteran Sixers spinner Steve O’Keefe was the pick of their bowlers with figures of 3-0-10-4. All-rounder Sean Abbott and pacer Ben Dwarshuis, consistent performers for the Sixers, dismissed three and two batters respectively at their home ground on Saturday.