The 2024-25 Big Bash League came to a blistering end as Hobart Hurricanes bulldozed Sydney Thunder by seven wickets to win their first title. Here's Wisden's team of the tournament.
Mitchell Owen – Hobart Hurricanes
452 runs @ 45.20, SR: 203.60, HS: 108
Already the star player of the tournament, Mitchell Owen managed to find another gear in the final. He scored a blistering 39-ball century which was pivotal to the Hurricanes bagging their first BBL title.
David Warner – Sydney Thunder
405 runs @ 45.00, SR: 141.60, HS: 88*
The 38-year-old showed no signs of slowing down, providing Thunder’s top order with consistent runs to allow his teammates to attack at the death. No-one scored more fours this tournament than Warner (44). In his first year returning as captain, he also led his side to the the final.
Cooper Connolly – Perth Scorchers
351 runs @ 50.14, SR: 131.46, HS: 66
Connolly was the leading run scorer in the league phase, but could not prevent the Scorchers from falling to their worst BBL performance since 2020 - finishing outside of the knockout qualifying positions. However, his measured approach with the bat could have him knocking on the door of another Australia call up.
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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Glenn Maxwell – Melbourne Stars
325 runs @ 54.16, SR: 186.78, HS: 90
Maxwell’s explosive hitting was on full display, most notably his swashbuckling 90 that rescued the Melbourne derby for the Stars and kept their playoff hopes alive. Once again, he demonstrated his ability to win matches on his own.
Sam Billings – Sydney Thunder
271 runs @ 30.11, SR: 132.84, HS: 72
The standout performer behind the stumps, Billings took 11 catches and a stumping. He also managed consistent runs for Thunder, which were crucial on their run to a first final in nine years.
Max Bryant – Brisbane Heat
259 runs @ 43.16, SR: 164.96, HS: 77*
Bryant proved himself a useful finisher for Heat, scoring quickly at the death. Unfortunately, last year’s champions never looked like repeating the feat, and fell to a seventh-place finish.
Ben Dwarshuis – Sydney Sixers
146 runs @ 36.50, SR: 173.80, HS: 30
14 wickets @ 25.50, ER: 9.15, BBI: 4-32
Dwarshuis was a potent threat with both bat and ball, and executed his role as a finisher perfectly. Although he was expensive with the ball and did not rack up high scores, his quick runs at the death and timely wickets were crucial for his side.
Tom Rogers – Melbourne Renegades
16 wickets @ 19.12, ER: 8.42, BBI: 3-22
The right-arm quick enjoyed great success with the ball, constantly chipping in with wickets to finish second in the Golden Arm standings. His batting contributions must not be discounted either, especially his match winning 49* against Perth Scorchers.
Jason Behrendorff – Perth Scorchers
17 wickets @ 17.41, ER: 7.55, BBI: 3-21
Behrendorff finished as the top wicket taker, despite not reaching the playoffs. The left-arm seamer was consistently amongst the wickets while maintaining a tidy economy rate in a tournament where batters tended to have the upper hand.
Mark Steketee – Melbourne Stars
15 wickets @ 9.40, ER: 7.23, 5-17
Despite only playing six matches, Steketee managed to bag the fourth-most wickets. He was the cornerstone of the Stars’ turnaround as they won their final five league matches to squeeze into the playoffs, before being defeated by Sydney Thunder.
Lloyd Pope – Adelaide Strikers
15 wickets @ 21.13, ER: 9.05, 3-21
Pope excelled as a spinner in seam-friendly conditions and was a bright spark in an otherwise disappointing campaign for the Strikers, who finished bottom of the BBL for the first time.
