Smith at his best ahead of Warner meeting

Smith equalled his highest-ever T20 score in the Sixers' defeat of the Adelaide Strikers in Coffs Harbour on Tuesday, belting 101 from 56 deliveries to help hoist his side to the top of the Big Bash ladder.

The knock was a vindication on multiple levels, not least of the extra money forked out by Cricket Australia to lure Smith back to the BBL.

It was also proof that adjustments to Smith's batting technique have transferred over to T20 cricket, and showed why he's still a masterly T20 player despite falling out of favour in the Australian set-up.

While Smith shone on a batter-friendly deck in Coffs Harbour, the SCG is set to pose different challenges for the former Test captain when the Sixers host the Thunder for the next edition of the Sydney Smash on Saturday night.

Runs have been harder to come by at the hallowed ground this summer - the 151 that the Sixers posted against the Perth Scorchers on Sunday was the equal highest score from four games there so far.

A wicket has not yet been confirmed for the next game but AAP understands Cricket NSW will likely use the same deck as in the Scorchers game.

As he prepares to face Warner at BBL level for the first time since December 2013, Smith is bracing himself for the possibility of another dogfight.

"I don't know what sort of wicket we'll get, the last one was pretty slow," he told Fox.

"I think we might be on the same one so it could be another grinding game."

After the win over the Strikers, Smith shrugged off suggestions he would be hoping to get one over his Test teammate Warner but said he was relishing the chance to be back in magenta after three years away.

"We play to win every game so hopefully we can have another good night," Smith said.

"It should be a good game.

"It's been nice to be back. I've been involved with the franchise since day one. It's a great bunch of guys and a great vibe around the group. I'm really enjoying it."

Australian Associated Press