Days after being announced as Australia's new Test opener, Smith resumed his usual spot at the top of the Sixers' order at the SCG.
But with a full house in to watch him face-off against long-time international teammate David Warner, Smith hooked the first ball from Daniel Sams straight to Nathan McAndrew at deep-backward square.
Thunder's Nathan McAndrew clings on to the ball to see off Sixers' Steve Smith for a golden duck. (Steve Markham/AAP PHOTOS)
His dismissal came as an early dampener to the SCG crowd, given Smith hit a sparkling hundred in the same fixture last season.
In Smith's absence, his young lookalike Josh Philippe took charge of the Sixers' innings with a well-timed 47 from 35 balls.
Philippe scooped Sams for four late in the first over, played well square of the wicket and looked on track for his first half-century of the summer.
But he was out when he cut Tanveer Sangha straight to cover, stunting the Sixers' charge before Jordan Silk's 35 helped the Sixers to something resembling a competitive total.
Sangha took 2-22 from his four overs, while debutant Toby Gray claimed 1-18 with two overs of spin and quick McAndrew finished with 2-17.
David Warner's helicopter touched down at the SCG ahead of Friday's Sixers-Thunder BBL clash. (Steve Markham/AAP PHOTOS)
Warner will open for the Thunder in their chase, after rushing to the ground on Friday afternoon via helicopter after attending his brother's wedding.
Warner's first game of the season for the Thunder will push Cameron Bancroft down to No.3, days after he missed out on replacing his clubmate as Test opener.
The Thunder need a win to keep their faint finals hopes alive, while the Sixers can lock in a top-four spot with victory.
8°C