Steve Smith had only a fleeting shot with the bat, but was frustrated by playing in the rain as Sydney Sixers lost by six wickets to six-time Big Bash League champions Perth Scorchers in Sunday’s final at Optus Stadium.
Smith completed 24 of 13 balls for the three-time champion Sixers, setting the team’s joint-highest score with an all-out under-par 132, hitting three fours and a six before dropping pounds to Jay Richardson (3-32).
The Scorchers missed the target with 15 pitches remaining at home. Mitchell Marsh (43 off 44 balls) hit a six on the first pitch of the chase, followed by Josh Inglis (26 off 29 balls) who did the same. Smith was confused, saying it was “stupid” to still be on the field as play was not stopped early on due to heavy rain.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Steve Smith was clearly frustrated at having to play in heavy rain as his Sixers lost to the Scorchers in Perth.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Sixers’ Jack Edwards makes a one-handed catch to send off Finn Allen in the Big Bash final
The umpires eventually dismissed the players after the fifth over, at which point it appeared they were waiting for the match to take place, but the rain quickly stopped and the Scorchers restarted with a score of 47-0.
The wet ball was a hindrance for the Sixers, but Jack Edwards made a fine one-handed catch to deny Finn Allen (36 of 22), but it wasn’t, but the Scorchers defeated their rivals for the fourth time in six finals between the most successful teams in the competition.
The Scorchers previously saw the Sixers win the trophy in the 2014-15, 2016-17 and 2021-22 seasons, with the Sixers also winning the trophy in their first year in 2011-12 and 2020-21.
Connolly’s catch was ruled a foul by the third umpire and was loudly booed.
The most controversial moment outside of the rain was when Cooper Connolly of the Scorchers took a brilliant catch of Joel Davies from English seamer David Payne (3-18) at deep midwicket in the 18th over, but the wicket was chalked off due to intervention by the third umpire.
The ball touched the turf, but only after Connolly put his hands down to prevent it from sliding onto the boundary rope.
Use Chrome Browser for a more accessible video player
Watch the moment Scorchers star Cooper Connolly’s deep midwicket catch was chalked away by the third umpire.
The home fans booed the decision, but cheered when Davis dragged Richardson towards the stumps in the next over for the 19th over. It was the 13th time when Connolly’s catch was ruled a foul.
Gloucestershire batter Paine’s three wickets were followed by Sixers captain Moises Henriques, who took 24 wickets during the innings when many batsmen were unable to continue attacking after getting a start.
Smith scored 299 runs at an average of 59.80 and a strike rate of 167.97 in six matches for the Sixers after returning from Ashes duty, which included a century and two fifties.
The 36-year-old is not in Australia’s squad for the T20 World Cup, to be held in India and Sri Lanka from February 7, but his form in the Big Bash means he is probably the most likely to be called up if the national team suffers an injury to a batsman.
Watch the T20 World Cup live on Sky Sports from February 7th to March 8th. Australia’s opener will be against Ireland on Wednesday 11th February (9.30am UK).
