BBL, Sixers v Thunder: Smith v Warner headlines battle for second

It was the match-up every cricket fan wated to see, as Steve Smith led the Sixers into battle against Dave Warner’s Thunder, but rain and heavy wind caused chaos at the SCG, forcing the Sydney Smash to be abandoned.

Long-term Australian teammates Steve Smith and David Warner will face off in the BBL’s Sydney Smash. Picture: AFP

Wild weather has seen the Sydney Smash fizzle without a whimper as the Sydney Sixers shared the points with cross-town rivals the Sydney Thunder in a washout at the SCG.

A feature of the BBL calendar, persistent showers put paid to an expected sellout and robbed fans of an opportunity to see Sam Konstas and Steve Smith go head-to-head before heading to Sri Lanka for the upcoming Test series.

When showers halted play for the second time, the Thunder were 1/36 after 5.1 overs with Thunder skipper David Warner unbeaten on 22 from 14 balls.

With no further play, the Sixers had done enough in the preliminary rounds to hold down second spot and secure two bites of the finals cherry.

Pitch covers are blown off by strong winds as the match is halted at Sydney Cricket Ground. Picture: Getty Images

Captain Moises Henriques can now start preparing the men in magenta for next Tuesday’s grand final qualifier against minor premiers, the Hurricanes, in Hobart.

In a consistent season, the Thunder can’t relinquish third spot and will look to extend their season when they host the knockout final at ENGIE Stadium on Wednesday.

David Warner was unbeaten on 22 from 14 balls when rain stopped play at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

BATTLING THE ODDS

Running into a howling southerly gusting up to 50 km/h, Sixers’ quick Jack Edwards had the difficult task of delivering the opening over to Thunder livewire Konstas.

In unusual scenes, the right-armer did what Indian quick Jasprit Bumrah couldn’t do in the recent Border–Gavaskar Trophy - pinning the opener to his crease with six dot balls.

Four balls later, showers halted proceedings, and in the rush to cover the pitch, several groundsmen were skittled when the wild elements lifted the main cover.

Jack Edwards has been massive for the Sixers all season. Picture: Getty Images

WARNER ON FIRE

Edwards continued his dominance when he returned to knock over Konstas (9 off 14) with a pin-point yorker in the fourth over.

Amid the delays, Warner opened his account with three boundaries off Hayden Kerr before dropping to one knee and launching Sean Abbott over the cover boundary.

LOOK OUT BELOW

Players and groundsmen weren’t the only ones to feel the pinch at a near inhospitable SCG.

Fans were evacuated from a bay at the northern end of the O’Reilly Stand after “vinyl soffit sheeting” from a panel on the underside of the roof was spotted flapping in the breeze 45 minutes before the scheduled start.

Eventually letting go, the floppy sheet - approximately 3m x 2m - was cleaned up by security with no fans placed at risk.

Never an easy job ☔ 😂#BBL14pic.twitter.com/SneRhGu5g1

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 17, 2025

Play was delayed because of rain in just the second over, while two groundstaff ended up on their backside because the covers took them out thanks to strong winds.

Meanwhile, the DRS was another victim of the strong winds at the SCG. Because the technology could not be properly calibrated before the game, ball-tracking and UltraEdge are not available for the Sydney Smash.

Sixers star Steve Smith arrives at the SCG. Picture: Getty Images

It’s the latest element to halt a Big Bash game with fire disrupting Thursday night’s Heat-Hurricanes clash at the Gabba.

A fire started near the DJ booth during the Hurricanes’ innings, with play halted as a fire extinguisher was used to eventually put the blaze out.

If the roof drama isn’t enough, rain is threatening the battle between second and third on the BBL ladder.

The Sixers won the bat flip and elected to field, sending in Warner and new Australian Test star Sam Konstas to set a total.

While they’ve produced their own highlights, Smith has arguably been the pick of the Test stars who returned to Australia’s T20 competition.

He blasted a massive century against the Scorchers in his first of three appearances this BBL season, then added a 50 in his second knock, a win against the Strikers.

Originally published as BBL, Sixers v Thunder: Smith v Warner headlines battle for second