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Cricket is traditionally associated with long days on the field and slow-paced play. Diehard fans lap it up but for everyday viewers, multiday matches can be hard to follow. No wonder the latest stats from YouGov reveal that along with golf and American football, cricket was perceived as one of the most boring sports to watch.
The Big Bash League changed everything.
What is the BBL?
Launched in 2011 by Cricket Australia, the BBL is fast, exciting and has a huge fanbase, in Australia and around the world. The chance to swing big and rack up huge scores gives BBL an edge over traditional formats like test cricket and T20 internationals. Some serious legends have graced BBL stadiums since 2011. Below, we take a closer look at the league’s all-time biggest hitters.
Chris Lynn
Since making his debut for the Brisbane Heat in 2011, Chris Lynn has scored a huge 3,421 runs in the BBL. The right-handed batsman is known for his explosive power and is no stranger to sixes. It’s not unusual to see Lynn hit balls that fly for more than 90 metres! In a game played at the fabled Gabba in Brisbane, Lynn thumped a ball delivered by Aussie fast bowler Shaun Tait onto the roof. For the record, Tait has bowled at speeds of more than 161 kilometres per hour.
A special mention to Brendon McCullum, Lynn’s former opening partner. While he’s not celebrated as one of the biggest BBL hitters of all time, he and Lynn gained a reputation as the ‘Bash Brothers’ for their antics on the field.
Aaron Finch
Victorian-born power hitter Aaron Finch has more than 3,230 runs for the Melbourne Renegades under his belt. He was captain of the team from 2012 to 2021 and helped the Renegades secure their first trophy in the 2018-19 BBL season with a heroic win against the Melbourne Stars. Finch is known for his aggressive approach to batting, both in the BBL and in T20 international matches.
Jonathan Wells
Tassie batsman Jonathan Wells is right up there when it comes to the biggest BBL hitters of all time. Over 126 matches played between 2011 and 2023, Wells has scored a massive 2,797 runs. Some were scored during his time with the Hobart Hurricanes and others playing for the Adelaide Strikers. In 2022, Wells was snapped up by the Melbourne Renegades. Watch this space!
Marcus Stonis
Perth local Marcus Stonis may not have scored as many overall runs as Lynn, Finch and Wells. But when it comes to the most runs racked up in a single BBL season, Stonis deserves a standing ovation. In the 2019-20 season he scored a huge 705 runs over 17 matches. So, it was no surprise when he was named Player of the Tournament.
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