Cricket news: Steve Smith's incredible slice of history after incident with teammate stuns fans

Steve Smith blasted his way into the BBL record books in the Sixers' five-wicket win against Sydney rivals the Thunder on Friday night. And the Aussie cricket champion was in an uncompromising mood after a number of eye-opening incidents with Sixers teammate Babar Azam at the SCG that left viewers stunned.

A majestic unbeaten century from veteran Thunder captain David Warner (110 runs off 65 balls) helped set the Sixers an imposing 190-run victory target. But a brilliant 141-run stand from Sixers openers Smith (100 off 42) and Babar (47 off 39) laid the platform for the equal-best successful run chase in BBL history at the SCG.

Smith's heroics were a stunning response to his long-time international teammate Warner's explosive innings. And the Sixers superstar claimed a special slice of history after taking Thunder quick Ryan Hadley for 32 runs in one extraordinary over to set a new BBL record.

It came after Smith raised eyebrows for denying Babar a single in order to remain on strike for the power surge. Babar had faced a number of dot balls so Smith decided to take the initiative on himself but his Pakistani teammate didn't seem too pleased by the decision.

Steve Smith goes nuts after shock act with Sixers teammate

But Smith vindicated the shock move by smashing four consecutive sixes off Hadley off the very next over. Smith also found the boundary off a no-ball from Hadley, who also contributed a wide to the Sixers' cause. And two runs off the final delivery of the over catapulted Smith into the record books.

Babar was dismissed moments later just shy of his half century and the Pakistan star was clearly angry when he walked off. He was seen smashing his bat into the boundary rope, having also earned a reprimand from Smith earlier in the night after a couple of questionable fielding incidents.

David Warner century in vain as Sixers edge closer to playoffs

Smith's stunning innings came to an end on 100 after being stumped by Sam Billings off the bowling of spinner Tanveer Sangha. But late cameos from Lachlan Shaw (13 off 7) and Jack Edwards (17 off 8) helped the Sixers chase down the target with 16 balls to spare.

Smith briefly threatened to score the fastest ton in BBL history (39 balls) but ultimately fell just short. But his superb innings took the limelight off Warner, whose own heroics saw him reach the top of the BBL run-scoring charts.

The Sixers' win moved them up to fourth on the BBL ladder, ahead of a finals-defining match against the Brisbane Heat to conclude their season on Sunday. The winner of the Sixers and Heat game in Brisbane will seal a spot in the playoffs, while the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Stars meet on Saturday night for the chance to leapfrog the Hurricanes into top spot.

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