After 56 regular season games and the first two finals, the cricket.com.au editorial team has picked the best XI players of BBL|11 to make an unofficial Team of the Tournament.
As per BBL rules, only three internationals could be included and we also selected two X-factors who could have easily made the team, with plenty of tough choices likely to generate plenty of debate.
The official KFC BBL|11 Team of the Tournament, selected by the eight Big Bash coaches, will be announced on Monday.
1) Ben McDermott (Hobart Hurricanes)
Matches: 13 | Runs: 577 | SR: 153.86 | 100s: 2 | 50s: 3 | HS: 127
The Hurricanes opener has firmly put his name forward for elevation to the Australian side for the T20I series against Sri Lanka, beginning on February 11. His 577 runs for the season at 48.08 included back-to-back centuries, with 110 not out against the Strikers and 127 against the Renegades one of the highlights of the tournament. McDermott was such an asset to the Hurricanes' side that they only lost one game where he scored over 50, and that was when the Stars smashed them for a record total of 2-273.
2) Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars)
Matches: 13 | Runs: 468 | SR: 159.72 | 100s: 2 | HS: 154no | Wkts: 4 | Econ: 7.70
Maxwell just pipped Josh Philippe for a spot here by smashing the highest ever individual score in the Big Bash with 154 not out in the final match of the regular season. The Stars skipper hit two unbelievable centuries in the tournament, which reinforced why he is one of the most damaging players in the world when on song. He was a little inconsistent in between, with five consecutive scores of less than 15, and he'll no doubt be disappointed that the Stars have gone another season without any silverware having been hit hard by COVID-19 this summer. He also bowled 24 overs throughout the tournament, with best figures of 2-19 against the Heat.
3) Mitch Marsh (Perth Scorchers)
Matches: 7 | Runs: 342 | SR: 147.41 | 100s: 1 | 50s: 2 | HS: 100no | Wkts: 5 | Econ: 8.46
He only played seven games this season because of his call-up to Australia's Ashes squad, but when Mitch Marsh did play, it was good to watch. Marsh averages 68.40 in this BBL and is arguably the most destructive T20 batter in the world right now, which was evident from his first knock this season, a sensational 100 not out against the Hurricanes. Marsh is a match-winner, as he proved in the T20 World Cup final, and when you throw in his five wickets, he is a complete cricketer that any team would love to have.
4) Joe Clarke (Melbourne Stars)
Matches: 13 | Runs: 419 | SR: 151.26 | 50s: 5 | HS: 85
After a slow start with just 14 runs in his first four innings, the young English wicketkeeper-batter exploded into life in the second half of the tournament to become the first player to pass 50 five times. He showcased his power with a couple of sixes that went 20 rows back at the MCG. Clarke also took the gloves for the season, taking five catches and three stumpings. He fitted in well with all his teammates and if England don't snap him up for the national side before next summer, there's no doubt the Stars will get him back for another season.
5) Moises Henriques (c) (Sydney Sixers)
Matches: 14 | Runs: 420 | SR: 136.80 | 50s: 2 | HS: 76no | Wkts: 1 | Econ: 6.33
In the unpredictable game that is T20 cricket, there's probably no one more reliable that Sixers captain Moises Henriques. With a minimum of fuss, the 34-year-old has steadily compiled 420 runs at 42, and while he has only sent down three overs, his leadership, coolness under pressure and 'no fear' culture that he and coach Greg Shipperd have built at the Sixers is a major reason why they're pushing for yet another title to make it a historic three-peat.
6) Jason Sangha (Sydney Thunder)
Matches: 11 | Runs: 384 | SR: 130.61 | 50s: 2 | HS: 91 | Wkts: 3 | Econ: 6.33
It's been a remarkable season from the young Thunder batter, who was left out of the side for the first three games having not been picked during the past two seasons either. But Sangha grabbed his opportunity when it presented itself and cemented his spot as his side's No.3 for the rest of the tournament. His rise also saw him promoted to stand-in captain when Chris Green was ruled out as a COVID close contact, and he led from the front with 91 not out in their New Year's Eve match against the Strikers. At only 22 years old, Sangha has got a big future ahead of him in Australian cricket.
7) Sam Billings (wk) (Sydney Thunder)
Matches: 9 | Runs: 284 | SR: 153.51 | 50s: 2 | HS: 67 | Catches: 7 | Stumpings: 1
Unfortunately, Billings exited the tournament early, first due to his selection in England's T20 squad for their West Indies tour before he was rushed into their Ashes squad to make his Test debut in Hobart. Prior to that, he was dominant in the middle-order for the Thunder with an average of 40.57 during his nine games. The 30-year-old has played four seasons in the Big Bash and there's no doubt we'll see him back again if higher honours don't get in the way.
8) Daniel Sams (Sydney Thunder)
Matches: 14 | Wickets: 19 | Econ: 8.23 | BB: 4-33| Runs: 190 | SR: 163.79 | 50s: 1 | HS: 98no
Sams' 19 wickets puts him equal-sixth in the competition this season. The left-armer again showed his class with the ball all campaign, but it was with the bat that he proved his all-round value to the Thunder. Everyone knows Sams can hit a big ball, but with a handful of COVID cases sweeping through the side, he was elevated to bat at No 4 against the Renegades. And he showed he has what it takes to be a genuine allrounder by going the distance with a powerful 98 not out, falling two runs short of a maiden century as he could only manage a four from the final ball of the innings.
9) Ashton Agar (Perth Scorchers)
Matches: 14 | Wickets: 17 | Econ: 6.83 | BB: 2-16 | Runs: 118 | SR: 147.50 | HS: 30no
Agar has rebounded from his shattering non-selection during Australia's T20 World Cup triumph to show the class that has him pegged as one of the nation's best white-ball spinners. The left-armer was extremely consistent in his line and length throughout the tournament to only concede a miserly seven runs an over, the second-lowest economy rate of BBL|11's top 25 wicket takers. The development of his late-innings hitting also proved a valuable asset during the Scorchers' outstanding season.
10) Rashid Khan (Adelaide Strikers)
Matches: 11 | Wickets: 20 | Econ: 6.34 | BB: 6-17
The superstar leg-spinner never disappoints in the Big Bash and this season was no exception. Unfortunately, national duties meant Rashid had to leave the tournament early but his 6-17 in his final game against the Heat – the third-best ever BBL figures – kick-started the Strikers' current five-game winning streak as they turned their season around to charge into the finals. Rashid would be disappointed he didn't have as much of an impact with the bat this year, with only 51 runs and two sixes.
11) Peter Siddle (Adelaide Strikers)
Matches: 15 | Wickets: 27 | Econ: 8.29 | BB: 5-23
Evergreen Siddle continues to go from strength to strength as a T20 bowler with his craftiness and experience of full display again this summer. With 27 scalps at 17.14, the 37-year-old sits comfortably on top of the BBL|11 wickets tally. Travis Head and Alex Carey were also in the Test team for the entire regular season meaning Siddle shouldered the captaincy duties, leading the Strikers to five straight wins as they stormed into the finals.
X-factors
Josh Philippe (Sydney Sixers)
Matches: 15 | Runs: 429 | SR: 143.47 | 50s: 4 | HS: 99no
Another outstanding season from the 24-year-old Sixers opener, who was just pipped for a place at the top of the order by Maxwell. Which is ironic given he outshone the Stars captain earlier in the tournament when he countered Maxwell's maiden BBL ton with 99 not out to give the Sixers the win in the last over of their clash at the MCG. Philippe has become a reliable pillar at the top of the Sixers batting line-up and has been key to their success over the past three seasons.
Hayden Kerr (Sydney Sixers)
Matches: 15 | Wickets: 24 | Econ: 7.34 | BB: 4-32
Very stiff not to make it into the final XI, but the selector's preference for an extra spin option and the abundance of fast-bowling allrounders meant Kerr was relegated to an X-factor. It's been a breakout season for the 25-year-old left-armer who continued the form he showed in his Marsh Sheffield Shield debut. He has played all 15 of the Sixers' matches after initially being pegged as cover for a few injuries at the beginning of the tournament. He has also gained the confidence of captain Henriques throughout the campaign, who has had no qualms in throwing him the ball in the tough overs.
