David Warner, at 39, Smashes 2 Hundreds, 2 Fifties in a Span of Just 13 Days

David Warner has overtaken Virat Kohli for most T20 centuries, reaching ten hundreds to surpass Kohli’s tally of nine following the BBL display.

David Warner, at 39, Smashes 2 Hundreds, 2 Fifties in a Span of Just 13 Days

David Warner hit his second hundred in the ongoing BBL season, against Sydney Sixers. (via X)

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Ex-Australian opener David Warner has not lost his big-hitting prowess, after he registered his second hundred for Sydney Thunder in the ongoing 2025-26 BBL season. Warner’s hundred was crucial in guiding his team to a strong first innings total against city rivals, the Sydney Sixers.

Although David Warner retired from international cricket back in June 2024, he seems to have maintained his touch. At 39, Warner continues to play franchise league cricket globally. In his recent appearance for Sydney Thunder, the team he captains in the Big Bash League, the left-hander impressed fans with his skills during a game against the Sydney Sixers at his home ground, the iconic Sydney Cricket Ground.

Sydney Thunder have fared poorly during the 2025-26 season, losing seven out of their eight opening games and becoming the first team to be eliminated. Nevertheless, against the Sixers, Warner anchored the innings, first with a 56-run opening partnership with Matthew Gilkes, and later adding an 84-run stand for the fourth wicket with Nic Maddinson, leading the team to a commanding first-innings total of 189/6. He ended his innings unbeaten on 110 runs off 65 balls, at a strike-rate of 169.23.

David Warner‘s remarkable innings, featuring 11 boundaries and four sixes, completely dismantled the Sixers’ bowling attack, which included Mitchell Starc, who was making his long-awaited return to the BBL after 11 years.

The 39-year-old opened his account with a six off just the third ball Starc bowled to him. This was Warner’s second century of the ongoing BBL season, following his incredible 130 off 65 balls in a defeat to the Hobart Hurricanes on January 3.

Warner is currently the season’s highest run-getter, with 433 runs in eight innings at an average of 86.60. He has played with unmatched consistency, considering he scored only 44 runs in his first four appearances.

He made a stellar comeback in the remaining four games, recording scores of 130, 67, 82, and 110. Warner’s final match performance now places him alongside Ben McDermott for the most centuries in BBL history (3).

Furthermore, Warner’s century also made him the fourth player, behind Chris Gayle, Alex Hales, and Kieron Pollard, to score 14,000 runs in T20 cricket. The retired Australian cricketer stands tall with 14,028 runs from 432 T20 matches, at an average of 37.11.

Steve Smith’s masterclass hundred trumps David Warner’s ton in thrilling BBL showdown

Primarily considered a red-ball specialist, Steve Smith, in contrast, demonstrated his aggressive batting in the shortest format during the Sydney Sixers’ BBL encounter against Sydney Thunder. He scored a century off just 41 balls, helping his team secure a five-wicket victory.

Steve Smith trumps David Warner
Steve Smith outclassed David Warner to help Sydney Sixers win against Sydney Thunder. (via BBC)

Sydney Thunder, batting first at the SCG, posted a total of 189 runs, thanks to a 110-run innings from David Warner. However, Smith provided a powerful reply to Warner’s knock, as he scored his fourth BBL ton to help his team chase down the 190-run target in just 17.2 overs. He started the innings by stitching an impressive 141-run partnership for the opening wicket, with Babar Azam (47 off 39).

The ace Australian batter targeted Sydney Thunder pacer Ryan Hadley in the 12th over. He smashed 32 runs off that over, including four consecutive sixes from the first few balls, making it the most expensive in BBL history. Smith reached his century with a single in the 14th over, with his innings featuring five fours and nine sixes, before being dismissed by spinner Tanveer Sangha.

The 36-year-old’s innings proved vital, helping the Sixers in a must-win encounter, even though the team lost five quick wickets by the end. Smith is now the joint second-fastest centurion in Big Bash League history, alongside Glenn Maxwell and Josh Brown.

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