Big Bash League 2019-20: Team of the tournament

Big Bash League has been the second-best T20 league in the world after the IPL. Since its inception in 2011, the Big Bash League (BBL) has caught the world's attention by bringing innovation in their tournament such as the zing bails that lightens when dislodged.

The beauty of this league is the popularity it has gained even when most of the Australian international stars are unavailable due to national duties. Many uncapped Australians have used the platform to get noticed and play in the IPL and for the national team.

After the end of an entertaining season of BBL 2019/20, here is the best XI of the tournament.

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#1 Marcus Stoinis

Marcus Stoinis might make an Australian come back soon

The Australian all-rounder has broken the all-time BBL record of scoring the most runs in a season, playing as a specialist opening batsman for Melbourne Stars. In BBL 09, Marcus Stoinis piled up 695 runs from 16 matches, including a 100 and 6 fifties, and became the first batsman to touch the 600-run mark in a single edition. For his stunning performance throughout the tournament, Stoinis was adjudged as the player of the tournament.

Also see – PSL schedule

In his journey, the 30-year-old slammed a 79-ball 147 and set the record for the highest individual score in the tournament history. His heroics helped Melbourne Stars finish the league stage at the top of the table.

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#2 Alex Hales

Alex Hales had the most successful BBL season in 2019/20

Sydney Thunder had a promising season despite finishing in fifth spot in the points table in the league stage. As per the play-off fixtures in the BBL 09, Thunder still got a chance to reach the finals and Alex Hales single-handedly almost took them to the finals by playing a significant knock of 60 (37 balls) against Hobart Hurricanes in the Eliminator and man-of-the-match-winning performance of 59 (35 balls) against Adelaide Strikers in the Knockout.

The English cricketer ended the season as the second-highest run-getter piling up 576 runs from 17 innings at a healthy strike rate of 146.

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#3 Josh Phillipe (wk)

Phillipe was the best wicket-keeper batsman in the tournament

Josh Phillipe had a dream season in the Big Bash League and finished as the top run-scorer for Sydney Sixers, who finished in second spot on the points table. The wicket-keeper batsman scored 487 runs from 16 matches and scored five fifties in the process, thereby becoming one of the most consistent batsmen for the Sixers. The young gun played a crucial knock of a 29-ball 52 in the rain-affected finals against Melbourne Stars and won the player of the match award for leading his team to a second title.

For his heroics in this BBL season, the 22-year-old was rewarded with an IPL contract as Royal Challengers Bangalore signed him for INR 20 lakhs.

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#4 Jonathan Wells

The match-pressure has brought the best out of him

Adelaide Strikers are blessed to have a batsman like Jonathan Wells in their side, who stepped every time there was a top-order collapse. He displayed his ability to counter-attack when the team was in trouble and tasted success on all occasions.

Mostly coming in at 4 or 5, the 31-year-old smashed 478 runs from 14 innings at a staggering average of 68.29 and stayed for his team till the last over and often finished unbeaten. Wells scored 4 fifties in the season and helped Adelaide reach the play-offs.

#5 Beau Webster

Webster raised his game in BBL 09

Beau Webster was one of those batsmen who was consistent throughout the season but didn't get the spotlight. He supported Shaun Marsh in becoming the batting pillar for Melbourne Renegades in absence of their skipper Aaron Finch who was on the Indian tour.

The 26-year-old scored 426 runs at an average of 42.60 and scored 3 half-centuries for the defending champions. Though the Renegades ended up at the bottom of the table, they have found something to be proud of in the performance of their youngster.

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#6 Glenn Maxwell (c)

Maxwell is in exquisite touch since his return from a mental break

The 'big show' has proved time and again why he has got that as a nickname and he displayed the same in BBL 09. He helped Melbourne Stars in high scoring chases and in setting competitive totals with his berserk batting. The 30-year-old scored 398 runs from 16 innings at a ferocious strike rate of 148. In addition to that, Maxwell contributed well with his off-spin by picking 10 wickets at an impressive economy rate of 7.03.

With his all-round performance and leadership skills, the mighty all-rounder helped Melnourne Starsbend the league stage as the most successful team. In a final reduced to 12 overs due to rain against Sydney Sixers, Maxwell bowled a crucial spell of 2 overs and picked up the wickets of Steve Smith and Daniel Hughes. Although he didn't fire with the bat, he was one of the major reasons for Stars finishing as the runner-ups.

#7 Tom Curran

Curran has been the key to Sixers' success

The English cricketer stole the show for Sydney Sixers and was their best performer in the season. Before leaving the BBL for national duties, Tom Curran finished the league stage as the second-highest wicket-taker with 22 scalps from 14 games and was the go-to bowler for skipper Moises Henriques in crunch situations.

Furthermore, the 24-year-old made significant contributions with the bat as well. Coming in at mostly 7 and sometimes promoted to 6 as a pinch hitter, Curran smashed 133 runs, striking at 149 runs per 100 balls with a top score of unbeaten 43 and often helped Sydney Sixers put on good totals on the board.

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#8 Rashid Khan

Rashid Khan continues to shine in T20 leagues around the world

The Afghanistan sensation is on an exponential rise since his arrival in competitive cricket and has taken long strides towards success. Rashid Khan is the sort of a bowler who doesn't depend on the playing conditions and tracks to perform. In this edition of the Big Bash League, the 21-year old has taken 19 wickets and finished the season as the second-most successful spinner.

In addition to that, he has also helped Adelaide Strikers with the bat lower down the order by getting some quick runs, by scoring 124 runs at a strike rate of 153.

#9 Daniel Sams

Daniel Sams has a chance to be a part of the upcoming T20 WC

The left-arm fast bowler has hit the purple patch and looks to be on the top of his game. Daniel Sams finished the league stage at the top of the wicket-takers' tally, picking a total of 30 wickets from 17 matches at a marvelous strike rate of 11.77.

The 27-year old has single-handedly won many games for Sydney Thunder and he is one of the major reasons his team got a shot at the title as they finished fifth in the points table and got qualified to play the Eliminator.

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#10 Haris Rauf

Rauf's pace has troubled a lot of batsmen

The fast bowler from Pakistan took everyone by surprise by his raw pace and consistency in line and length. Haris Rauf is perhaps the find of the season, who has scalped 20 wickets from just 10 matches with a scintillating strike rate of 11.35. Furthermore, his economy rate has also been impressive with a figure of something under 7 runs an over. The 26-year-old also picked up a match-winning 5-wicket haul against Hobart Hurricanes.

For his heroics, Rauf was rewarded with a national call-up and was a part of the series against Bangladesh back at home.

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#11 Adam Zampa

Zampa displayed why he is the best leg-spinner in the country

The best white-ball spinner in Australia shone once again in the Big Bash League. Though he missed out on a few matches due to an away series against India, Adam Zampa made an impact in the matches he could be a part of. In the 12 matches that he played, he 27-year-old picked 20 wickets at an economy rate of just 6.94 and finished as the top spinner of BBL 09 with the best performance of 3/21.

Though Melbourne Stars lost the final against Sydney Sixers, the leggie showed his class with the ball and ended up with the figures of 2/24 from 3 overs.

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Big Bash League 2019-20: Sydney Sixers defeat Melbourne Stars to clinch their second title