SS vs HH | Twitter in awe as Smith and Davies lead Sixers’ clinical show to progress to summit clash

Sydney Sixers stormed into the final of the Big Bash League 2025-26 campaign with a 57-run home win over Hobart Hurricanes on Friday. Steve Smith was the architect of the home side’s imposing 198/8, scoring a 43-ball 65 before the bowlers took over with an incisive display to book their tickets to Perth for the summit clash against Perth Scorchers. Apart from Smith, Joel Davies too had a wonderful outing, scoring a quick cameo with the bat lower down the order before returning with a two-wicket haul.

After being put in at the Sydney Cricket Ground, the opening duo of Smith and Daniel Hughes had a brisk start as the hosts sat pretty at 40/1 after the four-over powerplay. Though Hughes left early, Smith and Josh Philippe ensured the side did not lose another one immediately, adding 54 runs for the second wicket. The veteran batter was the aggressor in the stand as Philippe could only contribute a run-a-ball 15 before being dismissed in the 10th over. However, Smith continued to rake in the boundaries before finally departing three overs later, with nine fours and a six in his knock, as the score read 120/3 with close to eight overs remaining. Despite losing wickets at regular intervals, handy cameos from skipper Mosies Henriques (19 off 8), Joel Davies (27 in 12 balls), and Lachlan Shaw (21 off 13) meant the home side amassed 78 runs in the last eight overs to take them close to the 200-run mark. Meanwhile, Riley Meredith and Billy Stanlake were expensive, picking up 3/52 and 2/46, respectively, while Rishad Hossain also had two wickets to his name.

There was an air of confusion, especially with the approach of the Hurricanes' batters during the big chase. The openers were guilty of losing their wickets in a rush of blood as both dismissals followed big shots. While Mitchell Owen had back-to-back boundaries before skying Mitchell Starc to Smith at mid off, Tim Ward’s wicket came the very next ball while trying to emulate a stunning six off Sean Abbott. However, Beau Webster and stand-in skipper Ben McDermott kept the visitors in the chase with a much-needed stand of 48 runs for the third wicket. But that was the last straw of resistance from them as the Hurricanes fell back to their suicidal approach to slide from 77/2 to 109/7. Though a gritty display from the lower order delayed the inevitable, the innings finally ended at 141 with 16 balls to spare. Meanwhile, McDermott was the top run-getter in the side’s bizarre batting display, with three fours and a six in his 26-ball 40, whereas Ben Dwarshuis led a disciplined performance from the hosts’ bowlers with a spell of 3/26 in three overs.

Let's go!!!

In to the final!

waiting!!!

Let's see!

Well played!

On fire!

Fifty!

50!

Yeah!

Half century!

Dropped!