Steve Smith, Aaron Finch headline official BBL|12 Team of the Year

Liam O'Loughlin

Steve Smith, Aaron Finch headline official BBL|12 Team of the Year image

Steve Smith and Aaron Finch have headlined the official Big Bash Team of the Tournament, with both Aussie stars piling on the runs throughout BBL|12. 

Smith returned to form against the white-ball in his short stint with the Sydney Sixers, blasting 346 runs from just five innings, including back-to-back centuries and a league-high 25 sixes.

Finch on the other hand played every game for the Melbourne Renegades, finishing with the third-most runs (428) and notching four half-centuries during the campaign.

Adelaide Strikers all-rounder Matt Short was announced as the BBL Player of the Year earlier this week at the Australian Cricket Awards, after amassing an incredible 458 runs and 11 wickets. 

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Sean Abbott capped off an incredible season by also being included in the team, while regular fixtures Andrew Tye and Michael Neser also made their presence known with the ball. 

Fresh faces Paddy Dooley and Tom Rogers were also named in the side, with both men finishing in the top 10 wicket-takers for the first time. 

Test hopeful Aaron Hardie continued his rise up the Australian cricket ranks with another fantastic season, while Josh Inglis and Tim David rounded out the official XI.

Thursday night's preliminary final between the Sixers and Heat will determine who faces the powerhouse Scorchers franchise in Saturday night's final at Optus Stadium. 

Big Bash Team of the Year

Player (Team) Stats
1. Matt Short (Strikers) 458 runs & 11 wickets
2. Steve Smith (Sixers) 346 runs & 2 centuries
3. Aaron Hardie (Scorchers) 443 runs & 4 wickets
4. Aaron Finch (Renegades) 428 runs & 4 half-centuries
5. Josh Inglis (Scorchers) 405 runs & 4 half-centuries
6. Tim David (Hurricanes) 354 runs & 18 sixes
7. Michael Neser (Heat) 24 wickets @ 17.88
8. Sean Abbott (Sixers) 28 wickets @ 14.07
9. Andrew Tye (Scorchers) 25 wickets @ 19.28
10. Tom Rogers (Renegades) 23 wickets @ 20.04
11. Paddy Dooley (Hurricanes) 19 wickets @ 12.74

 

Liam O'Loughlin

Liam O'Loughlin Photo

Liam has been with The Sporting News since 2019, helping lead both NRL and cricket content, as well as delving into the world of combat sports and NFL. A true rugby league tragic, he has spent the past 20 years playing, coaching and volunteering for his beloved junior club, Penshurst RSL. 

Away from work, Liam has a lifelong passion for all things pro wrestling and has travelled abroad to attend showcase events for WWE, AEW and NJPW.