Steve Smith hammers BBL century at SCG days after Sydney Test milestone heartbreak

Steve Smith returned to the scene of his dismissal on 9999 Test runs and enjoyed far more fortune in an unbeaten knock of 121 in the Big Bash League on Saturday.

The Sydney Sixers superstar hammered 121 from 64 balls, including 10 fours and seven sixes, in a destructive innings at the top of the order against the Perth Scorchers at the SCG.

Smith propelled the Sixers to 3-220, the highest team total in the ongoing BBL season, in a sparkling display packed with incredible shots square of the wicket and down the ground.

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He chalked up his third BBL century to move level with Ben McDermott for most tons in the tournament's history, although Smith has only played 32 games and McDermott 100.

The Perth outfit's Ashton Turner (66 from 32) and Sam Fanning (41 from 29) helped ensure the Scorchers gave the Sixers a scare, but the visitors ultimately ended on 7-206 in a valiant run chase.

Smith wasn't selected for last year's T20 World Cup, held in the US and the Caribbean in June, and he had a message for selectors after Saturday's knock.

"They're a bit off me there, aren't they?" Smith laughed while talking to Fox Cricket in the field.

"I'm available for selection, but there's plenty of good batters around the country, isn't there? And I'm getting older."

Earlier this month, the prolific right-hander was twice dismissed in the 9990s during the SCG Test against India, falling on 33 and 4 in his pursuit of the exclusive 10,000 club.

He will all but certainly become the 15th man to reach 10,000 Test runs on Australia's two-match tour of Sri Lanka, beginning on January 29.

Among the phenomenal shots Smith played on Saturday were a gorgeous square drive and a switch hit square of the wicket, both of which sailed for six.

Fox Cricket commentator Brad Haddin, a former teammate of Smith's in international and BBL cricket, said his innings on Saturday was "an absolute pleasure to watch".

"Fantastic knock, Steve Smith," added former teammate David Warner on the broadcast.

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

Moises Henriques (46 from 28) and Ben Dwarshuis (23 from seven) made handy contributions in the Sixers' mammoth innings.

Scorchers quick Andrew Tye was obliterated, going wicketless from four overs and conceding 62 runs.

Fellow quick Jhye Richardson finished with 0-51 from four overs, while fast bowler Jason Behrendorff registered 1-39 from four overs.

With the ball for the Sixers, paceman Sean Abott took 4-43 from four overs.