Twitter Reactions: Steve Smith lights up SCG as Sixers chase down 176 against the Renegades

Sydney Sixers locked horns with Melbourne Renegades at Sydney Cricket Ground in Sydney. The hosts registered an emphatic win by seven wickets against the visitors on the back of brilliant knocks of Steve Smith and Josh Phillipe. On the other hand, Finch’s brilliant century effort went in vain. Sixers managed to pull off their third consecutive win in the ongoing tournament.

Earlier, Sixers won the toss and elected to field. The bowlers helped their side in getting off to a balanced start against Renegades. Tom Curran dismissed in-form opener Tom Cooper (24 runs off 10 balls) in the fourth over of the innings. On the other hand, Aaron Finch, who recently joined the squad after playing ODI series against India, looked in full flow with the bat. He acquired an aggressive approach against Sixers’ bowlers and the Aussie International was smashing all across the park.

He played a blistering knock of 109 runs off 68 balls studded with seven sixes and six boundaries. However, he was dismissed by Ben Dwarshuis on the penultimate ball of the final over. Renegades successfully posted a competitive score of 175 runs for a loss of five wickets in stipulated 20 overs. Meanwhile, Tom Curran turned out to be the best bowler for his side, who registered brilliant bowling figures of 3/27.

Sydney Sixers register an emphatic seven-wicket victory

During the chase, Sixers got off to a great start as their opener Josh Philippe (61 runs off 42 balls) and James Vince (22 runs off 13 balls) stitched a swift partnership of 49 runs for the first wicket. But, Will Sutherland helped his side in getting the first breakthrough in the match on the back of his brilliant fielding effort.

Steve Smith, who came out to bat on number three, showed his class with a brilliant batting display. He played an important unbeaten knock of 66 runs off 40 balls with one six and seven boundaries. The hosts chased the target of 176 runs with eight balls and seven wickets to spare courtesy of Smith’s knock.

The Renegades bowlers looked quite helpless as they failed to take wickets at regular intervals that turned out to be the main reason behind their defeat against the Sixers. Meanwhile, Steve Smith was awarded Man of the Match for his brilliant knock. Moreover, Sixers reclaimed their second position back after they grabbed two important points.

Here is how Twitter reacted:

Steve Smith is an absolute champ#BBL09

— AJ Back 🏏🏏 (@itsArnaBack) January 25, 2020

This side of the barrier growing, so many Steve Smith fans out here 🧐 pic.twitter.com/c4gUoseJMg

— Connie (@konii91) January 25, 2020

Huge cheers for Nathan Lyon but Steve Smith is the resounding crowd favourite at the SCG #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/sXKnOiPF0y

— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) January 25, 2020

Steve smith is undoubtedly second best player in the world currently. Imagine disagreeing.

— ‏ً (@Viratesque) January 25, 2020

Steve Smith played a superb knock. 9 Wins, 4 Losses, 1 NR is some way to finish the group stage. Hopefully we perform better in playoffs. All the best @SixersBBL. Special mention Joshua Philippe. Star in making

— K Vijayendra #MitulFC 🍷 (@k_vijayendra8) January 25, 2020

Steve smith is showing quite a range of shots in t20s now. First vs pak,sl now #BBL09. His gameplay is also quite similar to @imVkohli. No dots, single doubles and ocassional boundary. Not much diff in ipl s/r too. Smith – 129,kohli- 131.6
Avgs similar too

— Sagar Singhal (@9sagar5singhal) January 25, 2020

Another Master Class from @stevesmith49 scores 66 of 48 balls, and Brings home Sydney Sixers by 7 Wickets.#SYSvsMLR#stevesmith

— Prashant Kumar Mahto (@prashantmahto11) January 25, 2020

5⃣0⃣ for @stevesmith49 🔥

But how about that shot! Describe it in one GIF.#HallaBol | #RoyalsFamilypic.twitter.com/o6l9hlkauY

— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) January 25, 2020

Steve Smith said Josh Philippe is a serious talent and his inside out shots are so good. #BBL09

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 25, 2020

Steve Smith won the man of the match. #BBL09

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 25, 2020

🔥 Steve Smith humiliating bowlers once again!

The Sixers win with a casual 66 from just 40 balls from this guy…#BBL09 pic.twitter.com/SDETulIVcj

— BET.co.za (@betcoza) January 25, 2020

Easy chase for Sixers due to this man, Steve Smith. #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/bYpxKjS4vi

— mojo (@dundee_24) January 25, 2020