Big Bash League: Rain puts dampener on Steve Smith's Sydney Sixers return

Rain has scuppered Steve Smith’s hotly anticipated BBL return at the SCG, denying the superstar a chance to reprise his heroics from the Ashes finale.

Smith managed only five overs opening for the Sydney Sixers against Hobart on Sunday afternoon before rain began falling.

A pull shot for six and a four past square leg were highlights for Smith, who was given a life on 15 just before bad weather hit.

Smith skied one off Test teammate Beau Webster, but Mitch Owen could not make up enough ground running from the rope to take the catch.

The covers came on only minutes later about 2.30pm, with the sides sharing the spoils once play was abandoned at 4.22pm.

After paying back millions in ticket revenue for the Ashes series’ two two-day Tests, Cricket Australia will need to refund the healthy Sydney crowd after play lasted less than the threshold of six overs.

Sydney had been sunny and hotter than 40C on Saturday.

The Sixers, who lost the toss, were 0-32 at the close, with Smith (19 off 16 balls) and star import Babar Azam (9 off 14) unbeaten.

Smith, who scored a Test century at the SCG last week, is available for the remainder of the BBL.

Defending champions the Hurricanes would have had one hand on a first-placed finish with a win over the Sixers on Sunday.

But by collecting only one competition point, Hobart will forfeit top spot if they lose to Brisbane in their final game and the Melbourne Stars win their last two.

The fourth-placed Sixers remain in the finals picture and welcome back Mitchell Starc for his first BBL game since 2014 against the Sydney Thunder on Friday night.