By @AzDoh12
The spectacle of the Big Bash has come and gone for another year. This year’s tournament finished with a stunning local derby between the Melbourne Renegades and the Melbourne Stars.
After a collapse for the ages by the Stars, who lost 7/19 after cruising at 0-93, the Renegades ran out as winners over their cross town rivals.
The Big Bash featured many stunning exploits from a number of players and here is my best eleven from the players that took part in this year’s Big Bash.
1. D’Arcy Short, Hobart Hurricanes
(Runs: 637, Average: 53.08, S/rate: 140, 50s: 6, TS: 96*)
(Wickets: 10, Average: 29.60, Economy: 8.00)
The shocking omission from the ODI team left the Hurricanes with a wealth of riches at the top of the order. The hard hitting left hander got Hobart off to fantastic starts, passing 50 six times with a top score of 96. Short was also part of Hobart’s bowling attack taking 10 wickets. He could be a valuable member of the Australian side at the World Cup.
2. Matthew Wade (w/k), Hobart Hurricanes
(Runs: 592, Average: 42.28, S/rate: 146, 50s: 6, TS: 88)
Wade’s impressive vein of form with the bat carried over from the Sheffield Shield, forming a potent opening partnership with Short at the top of the Hurricanes batting order. Also powering his way past 50 six times, Wade and Short were a big reason for the ‘Canes finishing on top of the ladder. Surely, Wade has now done enough to force his way into the Australian side again, and we could see him wearing green and gold at the World Cup.
3. Marcus Stoinis, Melbourne Stars
(Runs: 533, Average: 53.30, S/rate: 130.63, 50s: 4, TS: 81)
(Wickets: 14, Average: 16.14, Economy: 8.37)
Normally at the top of the order but the Hurricanes duo was too good to split up. Stoinis comes in at three. The big all rounder certainly made his presence felt this tournament. With big runs at the top of the order and plenty of wickets, Stoinis showed why he is an automatic selection in the Australian limited overs sides.
4. Callum Ferguson, Sydney Thunder
(Runs: 442, Average: 34.00, S/rate: 134.75, 50s: 1, 100s: 1, TS: 113*)
Strange to say breakout season for a player as experienced as Ferguson, however he moved from a player that didn’t quite make his mark as a T20 player to a valuable, consistent contributor for the Thunder. Came in to bat at the top of the order and scored at a good rate. He lead his team to victory with a match winning 100.
5. George Bailey, Hobart Hurricanes
(Runs: 363, Average: 45.37, S/rate: 148.77, 50s: 3, TS: 70*)
The evergreen George Bailey again showed us why he is such a valuable player in this format. The Hurricane top order didn’t often leave Bailey a lot of work to do, when they did however George didn’t let the team down. Showed he can rebuild in the middle order and change gears to score at a very impressive run rate. He’s a can’t miss veteran presence in any middle order.
6. Dan Christian, Melbourne Renegades
(Runs: 254, Average: 31.75, S/rate: 123.30, TS: 49*)
(Wickets: 15, Average: 23.13, Economy: 7.38)
Christian has been around for a while, but he’s showing little signs of slowing down. He was a consistent performer for the champion Renegades team over the course of the tournament. He possesses powerful hitting to compliment steady batting when needed. Christian also is a quality bowler, able to execute up front or at the back end of the innings. Although he will be 37 at the time, Christian is aiming to be part of the Australian 2020 World T20 squad.
7. Tom Curran, Sydney Sixers
(Runs: 185, Average: 30.83, S/rate: 144.53, 50s: 1, TS: 62)
(Wickets: 20, Average: 19.85, Economy: 7.65)
The English import did not disappoint in his debut season of the Big Bash. He was the equal 4th highest wicket taker and showed great discipline hitting his yorkers. Showing surprising aptitude with the bat, Curran fashioned himself into a productive bowling all rounder.
8. Rashid Khan, Adelaide Strikers
(Wickets: 19, Average: 18.10, Economy: 6.14)
The Afghan wiz kid again proved a force in this tournament. While never securing a bag of wickets, his economy was phenomenal with teams looking mostly to just see out his overs. A truly world class bowler and a walk-in for the best XI
9. Stephen O’Keefe, Sydney Sixers
(Wickets: 21, Average: 17.52, Economy: 6.57)
SOK was a consistent performer across the tournament. The competition’s 3rd highest wicket taker and a regular in the powerplay overs, which makes his economy all the more impressive.
10. Kane Richardson, Melbourne Renegades
(Wickets: 24, Average: 17.70, Economy: 7.75)
Not much needs to be said here. Kane was the leading wicket taker and an important part of Renegades team. He had a very good economy for an opening bowler and took heaps of wickets. He ticks all the boxes, and is a real chance of making the World Cup squad.
11. Josh Lalor, Brisbane Heat
(Wickets: 20, Average: 14.85, Economy: 7.61)
Goes a little under the radar due to the Heat’s struggles for most of the year. However, he was the 4th highest wicket taker for the competition despite playing four less games than the players higher than him. Bagged the only 5 wicket haul for the tournament
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