"I'm available for selection" - Steve Smith's message to Cricket Australia after smashing hundred in BBL 2025 match

Former Australian captain Steve Smith has marked a remarkable comeback to the Big Bash League (BBL). In the 30th match of the ongoing BBL 2024-25 season between Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers on Saturday (January 11), Smith slammed an unbeaten hundred that eventually helped the Sixers register a 14-run win.

This was his third BBL century as well, leveling Ben McDermott for the most hundreds in the history of the league. Steve Smith was left out of Australia's squad for the T20 World Cup last year (2024).

Post his sensational unbeaten hundred in the BBL on Saturday, the right-hander sent out a message to the Australian selectors. Talking to Fox Cricket while on the field, Smith said that he is available for selection in the T20I side.

"I'm available for selection, but there's plenty of good batters around the country, isn't there? And I'm getting older," he said (via nine.com.au)

He also took a cheeky dig at the selectors, stating that they are a bit off him (in the T20I format).

"They're a bit off me there, aren't they?" Smith laughed.

He also played some exceptional shots during his knock, including a square drive and a switch hit square of the wicket. Both shots resulted in a six. Brad Haddin and David Warner, who were commentating on Fox Cricket, lauded Smith too.

"An absolute pleasure to watch," Haddin said on Smith's hundred.

Warner said that Steve Smith's knock was fantastic. He also added that Smith just loves coming back to the BBL and putting on such performances.

"He just loves coming back to the BBL and putting on clinics ... Phenomenal, Steve Smith. Take a bow," Warner said.

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Steve Smith's unbeaten ton sets up 14-run victory for Sydney Sixers

Batting first, Sydney Sixers posted a massive total of 220/3 from their 20 overs. Opening the batting, Steve Smith blasted an unbeaten 121 off just 64 deliveries at a strike-rate of 189.06. His innings comprised 10 fours and 7 sixes.

While Josh Philippe (9) and Kurtis Patterson (12) were dismissed cheaply, skipper Moises Henriques slammed a quickfire 28-ball 46. Further, a stellar unbeaten cameo of 23 from just seven deliveries by Ben Dwarshuis gave them the perfect finish.

In reply, the Perth Scorchers got close but fell short in the end. They were restricted to 206/7 as the Sixers won the game by 14 runs in the end. Sean Abbott was the pick of the bowlers, returning with figures of 4/43.