As the 2024/25 Big Bash League comes to a close, Australia selectors will be looking out for players to bolster their future T20I squads.
As Australia flit between multiple formats, and look to move on to a fresh T20I cycle following last year's World Cup, rotation will be paramount to their plans. New doors will open over the next year or so, for players to make their mark and fill or replace the current top brass.
Here are six players who starred in the BBL and are in contention to break into Australia’s T20I squad in the near future.
Mitchell Owen
Mitchell Owen dominated this year’s BBL, spearheading Hobart Hurricanes to their first title. The 23-year-old opener had a strike rate of over 200 and scored two centuries, including a match-winning 108 off 42 in the final against Sydney Thunder. Owen, who can also bowl seam, is uncapped thus far but will have certainly caught the eye of Australia selectors. Given that both Jake Fraser-McGurk and Matthew Short struggled at the top in their most recent series against Pakistan, Owen’s performances could have him knocking on the door of a first cap.
Mitchell Owen equalled the fastest century in BBL history, cementing his name in the record books.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) January 27, 2025
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Cooper Connolly
21-year-old Cooper Connolly was the top scorer in the league stage of the Big Bash, with 351 runs and averaging over 50. The left-handed middle-order batsman showed consistency throughout, as well as chipping in with six wickets with his left-arm spin. Connolly presents a different option to Glenn Maxwell as a destructive batsman who also bowls part-time spin. He will hope to add to his two T20I caps in the near future.
Lloyd Pope
Lloyd Pope has been touted for future Australia honours since he took 8-35 against England in the 2018 U19 World Cup. In this edition of the BBL, he took 15 wickets - the most from any spinner - and only went wicketless on two occasions. He was Adelaide Strikers' main source of attack and became a useful asset at the end of the innings. Pope's path to Australia standings has been blocked by a line of wrist-spinners vying for selection, but a successful BBL may have boosted his position in the pecking order.
Lance Morris
Having already broken into Australia’s One-Day team at the end of last year, Lance Morris will hope to represent his country across multiple formats. The right-arm tearaway has gained notoriety across Australia for his blistering pace, often breaking the 90mph barrier with ease. Perth Scorchers lost both of the matches Morris missed, who took at least two wickets in each of his final five matches. The 26-year-old can add extra speed to Australia’s pace attack, and can also be a rotation option to keep other players fresh and injury-free.
Mark Steketee
Mark Steketee’s introduction into the Melbourne Stars lineup coincided with a turnaround in form which guided them to the playoffs, despite losing their opening five matches. Steketee was integral to this, picking up 15 tournament wickets, even though he played four fewer matches than those above him. The right-arm quick took a career-best 5/17 against Melbourne Renegades and, despite being 31, could add to Australia’s depth as they begin to rotate their aging seam attack. Having been on the cusp of Australia Test selection two years ago, his BBL form could put him into contention for an Australia T20I attack.
Henry Thornton
Australia's depth of white-ball quicks was tested over their home series this season, when they juggled their all-format superstars to keep them fit for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy and dealt with injuries to some of their white-ball bowlers. Following a BBL in which he took 12 wickets in eight matches, Henry Thornton could be a new fast-bowler to take advantage of a similar situation. His most notable performance in the competition came at the death against Melbourne Renegades earlier this month. He took three wickets within six balls of his spell, and conceded just five runs off the 19th over to restrict Renegades to a chasable target.
Max Bryant
Max Bryant scored 259 runs across just nine matches in this year's BBL. His best was an unbeaten 77 played as Brisbane Heat collapsed around him. He also scored a 35-ball 72 to boss a chase for the Heat against Sydney Thunder. Another veteran of the 2018 U19 World Cup, Bryant's has moved down to the middle order after starting out in the BBL as an opener, and he's an integral part of the Heat's lineup. His reinvigoration during this tournament could catch the eye of Australia selectors as T20 international cricket enters another cycle following last year's T20 World Cup.
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