BBL 2021-22: Best XI of the tournament

The 11th edition of the Big Bash League (BBL) has just completed its course. Despite being a pandemic hit, the tournament left no stone unturned to fulfill its fixtures. Just like the WBBL, it was eventually the Perth Scorchers who won the trophy for the record fourth time defeating the Sydney Sixers.

Overall, despite the unavailability of big giants, BBL 11 witnessed some mind-boggling gigs from its local players. Even the likes of Glenn Maxwell and Ben McDermott were found producing back to back tons for their teams.

Hence in this list, let’s check out the best XI of the BBL 2021-22.

1. Ben McDermott (wk)

Well, BBL 11 for Ben McDermott was nothing short of bliss. The Hobart Hurricanes opener was found to have a ball of a time throughout the entire season. By eventually topping all the run charts, McDermott was also rewarded the Player of the Tournament medal.

In terms of his performances, the 27-year old played 13 games scoring 577 runs at an average of 48.08. His impressive strike rate of 153.87 also empowered him to smash most sixes in the tournament (29). Even his two three-digit scores helped McDermott to attain his best ever BBL season to date.

Overall, the truckload of runs has also effectively paved the gloveman’s way into Australia’s T20I squad. Very soon in the absence of David Warner, McDermott will pair with Aaron Finch in the home T20Is against Sri Lanka.

2. Matt Short

For Matt Short, BBL 11 was all about saving his team Adelaide Strikers. Because the men in blue had endured a bittersweet tournament, Short had emerged its highest run-scorer. As an explosive batter, the youngster possessed a very healthy strike rate of 155.52.

With regards to his overall stats, the 26-year old played 16 games scoring 493 runs at an average of 32.87. His aggressive gameplay also licensed him to smash the second most sixes in the league (26). Performance-wise, his 48-ball 89 against the Hobart hurricanes was the biggest hallmark of his batting.

Overall, piling more than 400 runs has allowed the batter to attain its first breakthrough season. Additionally by rolling his arm, Short also scalped eight wickets at an economy of 7.5.

3. Jason Sangha

For Jason Sangha, BBL 11 was just his second attempt in the T20 league. Way back in the 2018-19 edition, the youngster had first appeared for Sydney Thunder. While launching himself initially, Jason had endured a malfunction scoring just over 100 plus runs in 10 innings.

But recently, the 22-year old had an unflinching time for his side. From his 12 games, Jason scored a total of 445 runs at an average of 49.44. His adequate strike rate of 132.05 also allowed him to hit 36 fours in total. Perhaps when skipper Chris Green was unavailable, Sangha had also impressively helmed the team.

All in all, as a vital cog Jason delegated Sydney Thunder to finish third at the points table. Even sometimes by rolling his arms, his leg-spin made him bag four wickets.

4. D’Arcy Short

For a change, BBL 11 made D’Arcy Short a middle-order batter. In his new role, the southpaw still was able to have a cracking season. Also, after a hiatus of two editions, Short was again back amassing more than 400-plus runs in the competition.

Comprehensively from his 15 appearances, the 31-year old scored a total of 444 runs at an average of 37. After the heroics of Ben McDermott, it was Short’s steadfastness in the middle-order that enabled Hurricanes to have a decent BBL. Barring his batting, Short also scalped 5 wickets and took 10 catches in the field.

Overall, after his sixth BBL season, the batter has also become the sixth-highest scorer of the competition. Unfortunately, in terms of hitting sixes, the left-hander just had a tally of 11 maximums.

5. Moises Henriques (c)

As a skipper of Sydney Sixers, Moises Henriques had a very dynamic BBL 11. Despite being a pandemic hit, the all-rounder moved heaven and earth to dwell his team into the finals. Unlike his previous BBL stints, Henriques also crossed the 400-run mark for the first time in the league.

In terms of his overall performances, the 34-year old played 16 games scoring 440 runs at an average of 36.67. His sensible strike rate of around 133 smoothly allowed him to fetch 36 fours in total. The veteran’s knock of unbeaten 76 also empowered Sixers to assemble their highest ever BBL total.

Overall, as an old maestro, Henriques has now become the seventh-highest run-scorer of the BBL. The cricketer is admirably one of the few individuals as well to feature in 100 plus games in the league.

6. Glenn Maxwell

By continuing his enriching T20 form, Glenn Maxwell had an ecstatic BBL 11. His unbeaten 154 from 64 balls also became the highest ever individual score in the league. In total by producing more than 400 runs, Maxwell surfaced as the fourth-highest run-scorer.

Comprehensively from his 13 appearances, the 33-year old stacked a total of 468 runs at an average of 42.55. His electrifying strike rate of almost 160 was also the fourth-best (minimum 10 innings). Even his other knock of 103 against the Sixers had come at a rapid strike rate of 180.70.

Perhaps such a breakthrough season has also enabled Maxwell to top as BBL’s third-highest all-time scorer. The swashbuckling batter also now stands second for hitting most sixes (109) in the competition.

7. Mitchell Marsh

In recent times, Mitchell Marsh has been jubilantly enjoying the shortest format. In three months, the all-rounder has won both the 2021 World T20 and BBL 11. Despite playing less than 10 games for Perth Scorchers, Marsh had amassed more than 300 runs.

In terms of his total performances, the 30-year old scored 347 runs from 8 games at an average of 57.83. With his exemplary strike rate of 142.80, Marsh thumped a total of 15 sixes and 26 fours. Even his match-winning hundred against the Hurricanes had come at a swift strike rate of 166.67.

All in all, the eleventh season of the BBL has also Marsh the highest run-scorer of Perth Scorchers. Apparently, his consistency in the league has also allowed him to possess one of the best batting averages in the T20 event.

8. Rashid Khan

Without a surprise, yet again Rashid Khan had a scintillating season with Adelaide Strikers. By bagging most wickets in his single season, Rashid has also jumped as BBL’s seventh-highest wicket-taker. By bowling more than 100-plus dot balls, the leg-spinner’s economy was just 6.34.

Comprehensively, his 11 appearances helped the 23-year old scalp a total of 20 wickets. Even amongst all the BBL bowlers, Rashid’s economy was the best in business. In fact, with regards to fetching a fifer, Rashid was also one of the four individuals to attain in BBL 11.

Overall, sadly with the bat, the Afghan legend exhibited a very inferior show. From his 9 innings, Rashid could only contribute 51 runs. Eventually, the men in blue also missed Rashid the most during their knock game against Sydney Sixers.

9. Hayden Kerr

This youngster from New South Wales had all together brought a new vitality to the Sydney Sixers team. Because of being a pandemic hit, Kerr had to wholeheartedly perform with both his skills. It was indeed his unbeaten 98 that soared the Sixers to play the final against Perth Scorchers.

Even with his primary skill, the left-arm pacer scalped the second most wickets in BBL 11. From his 17 appearances, the 25-year old fetched 25 dismissals in total. Barring all of this, the pacer also exhibited the best strike rate of 12 (minimum 10 games).

All in all, for men in pink, Kerr’s dual package was a massive revelation in BBL 11. Hopefully, in the upcoming seasons, Kerr continues excelling in both his commendable bowling and batting skills.

10. Andrew Tye

Just like other BBL seasons, even this time Andrew Tye was richly amongst the wickets. For Perth Scorchers, his reliable bowling allowed them to dominate the entire 11th season. The veteran of this league eventually lifted the glory by bagging third-most wickets in the competition.

In terms of his stats, Tye played a total of 16 games scalping 25 wickets at an economy of 8.08. His strike rate of 12.60 was also the second-best amongst bowlers who played a minimum of 10 games. Surprisingly, the 35-year old also exhibited his batting skills by registering the best score of 44.

Overall, Tye’s another stellar BBL season has apparently now made him the second-highest all-time wicket-taker of the BBL.

11. Peter Siddle

Though Adelaide Strikers had a bittersweet time, the skipper individually produced his best ever BBL season. By bowling his heart out, Siddle not only topped all the wickets tally but also bagged a fifer. The pacer also won his first golden cap in the T20 league.

In terms of his overall stats, the 37-year old played 17 games pouching 30 wickets in total. His tally of 133 dot balls kept his economy rate at 8.33. With regards to his strike rate, the old stallion was one behind the likes of AJ Tye and Hayden Kerr.

All in all, Siddle’s breakthrough season has also dwelled him into the top 10 all-time bowlers of the BBL. Sadly, the upcoming BBL 12 will be the last season of the pacer in the competition.