SS vs HH | Twitter applauds as Wade shows great presence of mind with excellent direct hit after fumble

‌Steve Smith’s excellent half-century got Sydney Sixers to a good start in their Big Bash League challenger against Hobart Hurricanes on Friday. The Sixers’ opener hit nine fours and a six during his 43-ball 65 to put the side in pole position to go past the 200-run mark at the Sydney Cricket Ground.

The home side were well-placed at 120/2 with eight overs to spare before the batter’s dismissal saw them slip to 181/6 in the penultimate over. Though the hosts lost wickets, they were able to keep the run rate intact as Ben Dwarshuis walked in with the hope of hitting some lusty blows.

But the batter’s hopes were dashed pretty quickly as Matthew Wade pulled off an excellent run-out to send the batter for a one-ball duck. With pacer Riley Meredith cleverly varying his pace to beat the swinging bat of Dwarshuis, Matthew Wade initially fumbled as the off-cutter pitched right in front of him.

As the ball hit the wicketkeeper’s pad and ballooned up, non-striker Jack Edwards quickly called for a single. An alert Wade made amends instantly, as he picked up the ball and aimed for the stumps at the bowler’s end.

A struggling Dwarshuis was caught short of his crease by an accurate and pacy throw from Wade that went on to hit the timber. Twitter was in awe as the 38-year-old veteran showed that his senses were still sharp and proved yet again that age is just a number.

Gone!

— Alexandra Rodrigues (@R37389Alexandra) 

Let's see!

Sydney Sixers Will Win Today. Defending Champion Hobart Will Lose The Match For Sure.



We will see Perth Scorchers vs Sydney Sixers Final on 25 January. ✅

— Neetish Kumar Mishra (@NeetishKrMishra) 

Well played!

Huge runs in a huge final!



Here's the best of Steve Smith's 65 off 43 balls in The Challenger.  

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) 

On fire!

STEVE SMITH HAS 2 FIFTIES & 1 HUNDRED IN 5 INNINGS IN BBL 2026. 🤯💥 

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) 

Fifty!

🚨 SYDENY SIXERS POSTED 198/8

AGAINST HOBART HURRICANE AFTER BABAR AZAM LEAVES 🚨



- Babar Azam give big boost to Sydeny sixers from Withdraw his name in BBL Squad



- Steve Smith Smashed well deserved half century and other players playing attacking 

— Kiara (@crickiara) 

50!

Fifty by smith 🤯 🤯 

— Mããz Asif (@ChaudharyMaaz0) 

Yeah!

Love to see it 

— broomwagonblog!!! (@broomwagonblog) 

Half century!

Smith's Scored Another fifty in 

- Scored 65 in just 43 balls. 

— AB Crickzone (@BInformati71086) 

Dropped!

Steve Smith Dropped. 😱  

— Ikramic (@IkramicOfficial)