Nathan McSweeney's Outrageous Effort Denies Steve Smith A Certain Six

Steve Smith got a dose of his own medicine when youngster Nathan McSweeney set the benchmark for scintillating fielding skills to another level in the Big Bash League. And the batter in this particular case is none other than Smith. With Sydney Sixers needing 45 to win off 30 balls, Kane Richardson delivered a half-volley. Smith, who was very much set by that time, took on the bowler with a heave over the mid-on region. Initially, it looked like a six until McSweeney put in a ‘superman-esque’ effort.

Chasing the ball from the deep mid-wicket, the 20-year-old was seen back-pedaling and ended up stretching his arms in order to put the ball back in the game. The ball got stuck on his hand but the cricketer slapped it back into play, preventing it from hitting the boundary ropes. While he contributed with mere 11 runs with the bat, the fielding effort earned him lots of praise. 

Steve Smith lights up BBL with an unbeaten fifty

The Melbourne Renegades posted 175/5 on the board with skipper Aaron Finch hitting a sublime hundred. But his 68-ball 109, stitched with seven sixes went in vain as the Sixers completed the chase in style. Josh Philippe hit a stunning 42-ball 61 but the wrecker-in-chief was Smith, who ensured a smooth chase.

The cricketer hit his first six in almost six years in the competition and laced seven boundaries. He remained unbeaten on 66* off 40 balls. Post the victory, Smith said he was sort of burned courtesy the humid weather. He also had a word of praise for the in-form opener. “I’m cooked. very humid out here. Did lots of running but good to get some runs and get the boys home. Philippe has a bright future. He made it a lot easier for me.” Smith said after helping his side bag vital points.

The Renegades extended a poor season. They dropped heaps of catches and that didn’t help their case either. Not often do we see a batter hit a hundred and still end up in the losing case but it was that kind of a contest.

This guy ???

Nathan McSweeney with some excellent work on the boundary! #BBL09 pic.twitter.com/lFZV2Bxhyk

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 25, 2020