Australia’s premier T20 tournament, the Big Bash League, is at its exciting phase as finalists Sydney Sixers await the winners of the Challenger fixture between table-toppers Melbourne Stars and former champions Sydney Thunder.
Meanwhile, the coaches of all the teams, unanimously, decided the Best XI produced in the season in the round-robin league phase of the tournament. With 612 runs to his tally, at an astounding average of 55, top run-getter Marcus Stoinis leads the pack at the opening slot.
The Melbourne Star underwent his breakthrough season after being pushed at the opening slot, with his swashbuckling unbeaten knock of 147 against the Sixers, headling his season. Apart from the mammoth scores, Stoinis also has five half-centuries to his name in the season thus far.
Perth Scorchers’ wicketkeeper-batsman Josh Inglis joins Stoinis in the opening slot with his impressive tally of 402 runs in the 14 games. Inglis scored four half-centuries in the process.
With a remarkable average of over 68, Adelaide Strikers’ middle-order batsman Jonathan Wells made his way into the XI. Wells, the third-highest run-getter in the tournament with 478 runs, has been the find of the season for Australian cricket.
Australian international Matthew Wade carried on with his purple patch, with 350 runs to his name. His unbeaten knock of 130, apart from his three half-centuries, helped him feature in the Best XI of the tournament.
Glenn Maxwell and out of favor, Mitchell Marsh also impressed with their power game as they feature in the middle order of the elected XI.
For the bowlers, it was a no-brainer to include Daniel Sams in the XI. His mind-boggling tally of 30 wickets in the 14 games, came at an average of 14. Sams took the Thunders one step closer to the finals of the league single-handedly with his compelling spells of left-arm pace.
Internationals Rashid Khan, Tom Curran, and Peter Siddle also feature in the list of the best players in the league phase of the tournament.
Melbourne Stars were delighted to have Lahore Qalandars’ Haris Rauf on-board as he was the only bowler apart from part-timer D’Arcy Short to clinch a fifer. Rauf walks into the XI with his decisive and economical spells.
Here’s the official Best XI of the tournament
It’s official. The coaches have spoken, and picked the best XI of the #BBL09 regular season 👏 pic.twitter.com/ue9CaZnJvt
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) February 3, 2020
