NewsBite

BBL14 report cards: Every Big Bash League club’s summer reviewed

The Big Bash League is almost over for another summer — with three finals spots locked in. We examine the players who have dominated BBL14 and name the dream recruiting target for every club.

Tim MichellTim Michell
@tim_michell
14 min read
January 15, 2025 - 4:00PM
News Sport Network
David records his fastest BBL 50!

As the BBL14 season heads closer to its climax, we’ve examined the key players and issues at every team which shaped the summer.

From every team’s biggest star to the dream recruit, we run the rule over ever Big Bash franchise in this season’s BBL report cards.

Scroll down to see how we graded every team.

Jamie Overton has enjoyed another strong BBL campaign.
Jamie Overton has enjoyed another strong BBL campaign.

ADELAIDE STRIKERS

Adelaide Strikers’ first season under the guidance of coach Tim Paine was one of near-misses. The Strikers lost their most influential player — skipper Matt Short — to injury through a key stretch of the campaign. They were never able to replace import Fabian Allen after he was injured in their opening match. His loss left the Strikers’ first and sixth-bowling options exposed in many games as they tried all-rounders James Bazley and Liam Scott with limited success. A dangerous team but lacking a few key pieces to be a true contender.

THE STAR: JAMIE OVERTON - With four scores of 27 or better and wickets in five games, Overton had a huge impact in his second campaign as a Striker. His first four matches of the tournament had the English all-rounder in the MVP conversation, taking seven wickets and making 126 runs. While his form tailed off later in BBL14, Overton again showed why he’s such an important member of the Adelaide XI.

THE BREAKOUT: LLOYD POPE - After joining Adelaide halfway through last season as a local replacement player, Pope has emerged as the BBL’s most prolific spinners. There were games where he was expensive, but that’s the type of bowler he is — risk versus reward. And more often than not Pope eventually comes out on top. At 25, he might be Australia’s next white-ball spinner after Adam Zampa.

THE INTERNATIONALS: Fabian Allen tore his hamstring on debut and didn’t play again. It was a key loss for the Strikers who had the West Indian earmarked as a spin bowling/lower-order pinch-hitting all-rounder. Jamie Overton has been one of the best imports in BBL history and played a key role with bat and ball, especially early in the tournament. Ollie Pope was sound behind the stumps but never hit top gear with the bat.

THE QUESTION MARK: Does coach Tim Paine persist with his spin twins strategy? Paine was adamant for much of BBL14 that he would back Lloyd Pope and Cameron Boyce to play in the same side. But when the Strikers season was on the line, Boyce was left out and an extra quick came in. At 35, Boyce is still good enough - and tricky enough - to be playing BBL. But he might have to settle for a back-up role to Pope if it’s in the City of Churches.

DREAM RECRUIT: SPENCER JOHNSON - The Strikers’ fifth and sixth-bowling options were exposed too often this season, in particular when Matt Short was forced to use them at the death. The Strikers would love to be able to lure an SA native like Johnson home to give them added firepower and control during the power surge. But the reality is they’ll need to set their sights a bit lower than one of Australia’s best white-ball quicks, who is signed with Brisbane Heat until 2028. Maybe Perth’s Matt Kelly would appeal?

GRADE: C-

Max Bryant has become one of the BBL’s most reliable middle-order batters. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images
Max Bryant has become one of the BBL’s most reliable middle-order batters. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

BRISBANE HEAT

A topsy-turvy title defence from the Heat, starting brightly with an undermanned team but then fading in the back half of BBL14. Top-order issues were a major headache throughout, with skipper Colin Munro struggling amid a revolving door of opening partners. Too much was often left to middle-order pair Matt Renshaw and Max Bryant to haul the Heat out of trouble. Their bowling arsenal is world-class, but the battling line-up needs reinforcements.

THE STAR: MAX BRYANT - Middle-order is one of the most thankless roles to play in a T20 batting line-up but Bryant has made it his own in Brisbane. After starting his career as an opener, Bryant’s shuffle to No. 5 has resulted in him becoming one of the most reliable middle-order batters in the BBL. His matchwinning 72 against Sydney Thunder was special but his best innings of the campaign came in a loss to Melbourne Stars when Bryant scored an unbeaten 77 to salvage the Heat innings from 4-39.

THE BREAKOUT: TOM WHITNEY - Not many to choose from in a Brisbane squad which is flush with more experienced talent. Will Prestwidge made a case, but there was a lot to like about the two games Whitney played. The 22-year-old took two wickets and bowled some important overs as he deputised for the injured Michael Neser and Spencer Johnson early in BBL14. He looks to be an exciting prospect for Queensland cricket.

THE INTERNATIONALS: Skipper Colin Munro had a torrid summer, scoring 46 runs in six innings before being injured. All-rounder Paul Walter also struggled to have the same impact as during his outstanding debut summer. Tom Banton’s three-game cameo passed without many fireworks and fellow wicketkeeper-batter Tom Alsop only broke into the team late in BBL14 after injury.

THE QUESTION MARK: What happened to Tall Paul? Paul Walter was such a valuable member of the Heat side during their title run, taking 17 wickets and contributing 99 runs. It seems after he was able to cash in on the unknown factor last season that opposition sides were ready for Walter’s changes of pace. He missed matches in the middle of the tournament

due to injury.

DREAM RECRUIT: JOSH PHILLIPE - Like Perth Scorchers, the Heat desperately need a wicketkeeper who can impact at the top of the batting order. Matthew Wade and Ben McDermott would be others they could consider to fill what has been a void for several seasons.

GRADE: C+

Mitch Owen’s rise has been crucial for Hobart. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images
Mitch Owen’s rise has been crucial for Hobart. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

HOBART HURRICANES

Three years on from their last BBL finals appearance, the Hurricanes re-emerged as a title contender in BBL14. Hobart was one of the best-balanced sides in the competition, combining a strong bowling attack with a power-packed batting line-up. The rise of Mitch Owen into one of the competition’s stars gave coach Jeff Vaughan and skipper Nathan Ellis greater freedom with how they deployed the club’s other batting weapons such as Matthew Wade and Tim David. And it meant even when Ben McDermott was injured, that blow had no bearing on the Hurricanes’ winning run. The BBL final being played in Hobart would be a dream result.

THE STAR: RILEY MEREDITH - This might not have been his most prolific summer by wickets, but Meredith has been the linchpin of the Hurricanes’ bowling attack. After averaging more than 35 with ball last season he has been back to his menacing best, regularly clocking over 140km/h on the speed gun. He’s the spearhead of a high-quality bowling attack.

THE BREAKOUT: MITCH OWEN - A Tassie boy from New Town Cricket Club, Owen spent much of the off-season blasting runs in T10 competitions around the world - including in the Cayman Islands. Entrusted to open the batting by Vaughan, Owen has delivered in spades. The highlight of his campaign was a maiden BBL century against Perth Scorchers, becoming the fourth Hurricane in BBL history to reach triple figures. Surely more overseas leagues will be circling.

THE INTERNATIONALS: Afghani spinner Waqar Salamkheil’s contribution has been undersold. Only three bowlers who bowled more than 10 overs in BBL14 had a better strike rate than Salamkheil (a wicket every 11 balls). Chris Jordan has again been an important cog in the Hurricanes side, virtually playing as an all-rounder at No.7. Shai Hope arrived with one of the best pedigrees of any overseas batter to feature in the BBL but only averaged 20 in five innings.

THE QUESTION MARK: What’s happened to Paddy Dooley? The left-arm mystery spinner burst onto the scene two seasons ago with 19 wickets in 10 games. But Dooley has fallen out of favour since and Peter Hatzoglou was preferred when Salamkheil departed to play in the ILT20 competition. Could a change of scenery help reignite Dooley’s BBL career?

DREAM RECRUIT: HAYDEN KERR - An all-rounder to lengthen the batting line-up and provide support for Nathan Ellis and Jordan at the death would round off the Hurricanes’ side. You can mount an argument an extra batter would be more valuable, but in Owen, Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott and Tim David, the Hurricanes already boast significant firepower. A player such as Kerr or his Sixers teammate Jack Edwards would add to an already versatile Hobart side, an attribute which has been integral to the Hurricanes rise in BBL14.

GRADE: A+

Tom Rogers has been one of BBL14’s premier quicks.
Tom Rogers has been one of BBL14’s premier quicks.

MELBOURNE RENEGADES

A summer of huge promise ended in another disappointing finish for Cameron White’s side. The Renegades won two of their opening three games in BBL14 but then lost five of their next six, including two derby defeats against the Stars. The top-order pairing of Josh Brown and Jake Fraser-McGurk rarely fired and too much was often left to Will Sutherland and Tom Rogers to bail the Renegades out — as they did with the bat against Perth.

THE STAR: TOM ROGERS - This could have been the skipper Sutherland, but Rogers deserves the nod. Rogers has been one of the BBL’s most prolific bowlers during his three seasons as a Renegade, taking 47 wickets since the start of BBL11 — including 15 this summer. While other quicks struggled for consistency, Rogers was an ever-present.

THE BREAKOUT: WILL SUTHERLAND - More for his leadership than his all-round ability. Sutherland went to another level as a captain this summer and stepped up at key moments for the Renegades such as his matchwinning knock of 70 against Perth Scorchers. How long before he’s a regular in Australia’s white-ball squads?

THE INTERNATIONALS: Englishman Laurie Evans didn’t have anywhere near the impact he did with Perth Scorchers, scoring 102 runs in seven innings. Tim Seifert made a flying start before his form tailed off, while Jacob Bethell wasn’t able to translate his hot form from the New Zealand Test tour to the BBL until his last innings when he scored 87 from 50 balls against Hobart Hurricanes. Hassan Khan only featured once.

THE QUESTION MARK: How does Jake Fraser-McGurk get back to his best? Batting has never been easy at Marvel Stadium, but Fraser-McGurk needs to get used to it as he’s signed on until the end of BBL17. After emerging as one of Australia’s brightest white-ball talents last season, Fraser-McGurk endured a horror summer and was eventually shuffled down the order.

DREAM RECRUIT: DANIEL SAMS - Calls mounted throughout BBL14 for Will Sutherland to be elevated in the batting order and the addition of a hard-hitting all-rounder such as Sams would allow for that to happen. The Renegades lacked power in their middle to lower order. An experienced leader such as Moises Henriques would be a perfect fit as well to complement Sutherland and provide batting stability.

GRADE: C-

Cooper Connolly’s emergence was a bright spot for the Scorchers. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images
Cooper Connolly’s emergence was a bright spot for the Scorchers. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

PERTH SCORCHERS

Could anything else have gone wrong this summer? Josh Inglis only featured once due to injury and Test squad duties, Jhye Richardson’s campaign ended after five matches due to shoulder surgery and internationals Keaton Jennings and Matthew Hurst flopped. Jennings only played three games for 48 runs, while Hurst made 64 runs in five matches before being axed for part-time gloveman Finn Allen. Last-over losses to the Renegades and Thunder and a defeat to the Sixers despite making 7-206 (the fifth-highest total in the club’s history) summed up the Scorchers’ campaign as they missed finals for the first time since 2019-20.

THE STAR: JASON BEHRENDORFF - The big left-armer carried Perth’s bowling attack for much of the tournament and finished BBL14 as one of the most prolific wicket-takers. A threat with the new ball and one of the best-performed power surge bowlers.

THE BREAKOUT: COOPER CONNOLLY - One of the leading run scorers in BBL14, stepping up early in the tournament when Aaron Hardie was injured to carry the top-order. The 21-year-old impressed to the point where he was named in Australia’s Test squad for the Sri Lanka tour.

THE INTERNATIONALS: English duo Jennings and Hurst never really looked comfortable and by mid-season, both had been axed. Jennings played the last of his three BBL games on December 23, while Hurst made it until January 3 before Perth ran out of patience. Finn Allen had a disastrous start to a two-year Scorchers deal, scoring 10 runs in his first four innings. But knocks of 50 from 23 balls against Adelaide and 68 from 31 balls showed why Perth signed the Kiwi slugger.

THE QUESTION MARK: Does Andrew Tye play on? At 38 years old, Tye struggled in BBL14 with five wickets in six games. The veteran seamer was dropped several times and conceded more than 10 runs an over during the tournament. He’s been one of the leading wicket-takers in BBL history and a great servant for the Scorchers but with Mahli Beardman and Bryce Jackson in the wings, it looks like his time might be up.

DREAM RECRUIT:JOSH PHILLIPE - What would the Scorchers give to have back a player who featured once in orange back in 2017-18? Phillipe would fill two needs for Perth as a wicketkeeper and powerful opening batter. Josh Inglis is likely to be unavailable for large periods of future summers after entrenching himself as part of the Test squad and the Scorchers need a partner for Finn Allen. Mitch Marsh will be like a virtual recruit with his Test career all but over.

GRADE: D

Marcus Stoinis has impressed in his first season as Stars skipper. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Marcus Stoinis has impressed in his first season as Stars skipper. Picture: Robert Cianflone/Getty Images

MELBOURNE STARS

Talk about a Jekyll and Hyde summer. The Stars were rock bottom after five matches and staring down the barrel of another wasted season despite one of the most stacked squads in the BBL. Then, a breakthrough victory over Brisbane Heat completely transformed their fortunes and the pieces fell into place for what seemed an improbable finals tilt. They helped end cross-town rivals Melbourne Renegades’ season with two derby wins, including Glenn Maxwell’s one-man big show under the roof at Docklands. If they can reproduce their form from the back half of BBL14 in coming seasons, a long-awaited maiden title won’t be far away.

THE STAR: MARCUS STOINIS - Looked inspired after being handed the captaincy, producing his highest runs tally since BBL10 and bowling more overs than he has in six years for the Stars. Glenn Maxwell made a late charge for the Stars’ BBL14 MVP but Stoinis is deserving of the crown after making 264 runs and taking three wickets. He was one of the best-performed power surge bowlers of the tournament.

THE BREAKOUT: JOEL PARIS - This was more a reminder of how good Paris can be, rather than a breakout. The left-arm paceman enjoyed one of his best BBL campaigns, playing five matches for seven wickets. Paris was one of Stoinis’ go-to bowlers in the key overs, regularly being called on in the power play in particular. He’s had a wretched injury run but is still one of the premier domestic quicks when he’s at full flight.

THE INTERNATIONALS: Ben Duckett lived up to his billing as the No. 1 draft pick, averaging 34.7 at a strike rate of 154 in seven innings for the Stars. The Bazball opener has scored more than 500 runs in two BBL campaigns (the other was with Brisbane Heat). Tom Curran had a disastrous run on his return to the BBL, taking two wickets in four games before going down with injury. He’ll return next season for the second year of his Stars deal. Spinner Usama Mir was a consistent performer and Dan Lawrence (80 runs in three innings) helped ignite the Stars’ winning run during a three-game stint replacing Curran. Joe Clarke (32 runs) and Adam Milne (three wickets) had little impact as early-season replacements.

THE QUESTION MARK: Where was Mark Steketee early in the tournament? He’s more renowned as a red-ball bowler but the big quick’s recall to the Stars side coincided with the club’s winning run after a 0-5 start. Steketee took 11 wickets in four games to help the Stars turn their campaign around, including a haul of 5-17 against the Renegades — which matched Adam Zampa for the second-best figures in Stars history.

DREAM RECRUIT: BEN MCDERMOTT - The Stars have remained loyal to Victorian gloveman Sam Harper, but his lean returns this summer would surely have given them pause for thought. McDermott would give the Stars added firepower at the top or in their middle-order and provide more consistent runs from their gloveman.

GRADE: B-

Ben Dwarshuis has been key to another successful season from the Sixers.
Ben Dwarshuis has been key to another successful season from the Sixers.

SYDNEY SIXERS

The perennial contender did what it has for so long — dominated most games on its way to another finals appearance. The Sixers have long been one of the benchmark sides and again proved their quality throughout BBL14. Under the guidance of skipper Moises Henriques, stars such as Sean Abbott, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Philippe and James Vince all had a big say in another campaign flush with wins.

THE STAR: BEN DWARSHUIS - Sean Abbott is probably stiff to be overlooked after missing half the tournament due to Test squad duties. In his absence it was Dwarshuis who took the lead role in Sydney’s bowling attack, while also emerging as a power hitter at the back end of the innings. Dwarshuis had a batting strike rate in excess of 200 and became a key weapon.

THE BREAKOUT: HAYDEN KERR - More a return to form than a breakout after 18 months cruelled by injury. Kerr was a force in BBL11 and BBL12, taking a combined 41 wickets across 33 matches. After being restricted to four matches last year, Kerr was entrusted with a key death bowling role by Henriques and showed his quality and poise on several occasions.

THE INTERNATIONALS: James Vince became the second import in BBL history to surpass 2000 runs behind his compatriot Alex Hales. Vince hit 228 runs in six innings which included an unbeaten century against Melbourne Stars. West Indian Akeal Hosein was unable to replicate the success he had with Melbourne Renegades, taking four wickets in five games. Leg-spinner Jafer Chohan was on the outer of the XI.

THE QUESTION MARK: The No. 3 spot was an issue for the Sixers after Dan Hughes succumbed to an elbow injury. Jack Edwards was trialled there and then Kurtis Patterson claimed a spot in the top order. Is Edwards the long-term answer or do the Sixers need to look elsewhere? They’d be tempted to ask Ollie Davies if he’s interested in a move across town, but he’s contracted for another year at the Thunder. Maybe a trade would work for club and player?

DREAM RECRUIT: ASHTON AGAR - The Sixers don’t want for much. One issue that stands out, however, was how expensive most of their key bowlers were this season. Jackson Buird (6.72) is the only Sixer who went at less than 7.8 runs an over in BBL14. The Sixers would love a versatile spinner like Agar to tie up an end and create pressure for the likes of Abbott and Dwarshuis to capitalise on.

GRADE: A

David Warner has starred during his first full BBL campaign. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images
David Warner has starred during his first full BBL campaign. Picture: Jeremy Ng/Getty Images

SYDNEY THUNDER

The Thunder deserve a lot of credit for what they have achieved this summer against the odds. Their finals hopes were on a knife’s edge when Cameron Bancroft and Daniel Sams went down, robbing the Thunder of two key players at a crucial period of the season. But as they did in that match against Perth, they have found a way to win with several unheralded names. David Warner’s form was vital but Tom Andrews and Chris Green also stepped up.

THE STAR: DAVID WARNER - The heat was on Warner to deliver after his captaincy ban was lifted and he was named skipper of the Thunder. He has played that role with aplomb, especially when batting, putting the Thunder on his shoulders several times. Warner was been a level above for most of his first tournament at the helm.

THE BREAKOUT: SAM KONSTAS - Who else could it be? Konstas set the BBL alight when he scored a record 20-ball half-century on debut for the Thunder. Not long after he was parachuted into the Test side and was ramping Jasprit Bumrah. Konstas showed he’s got grit to go along with his bag of tricks when he fought to a second fifty of the tournament against Perth Scorchers. Spinner Tom Andrews deserves a mention too after playing more games than he has at his previous three franchises combined this season. Andrews was only signed after impressing in a trial match against the Thunder where he played for Adelaide Strikers.

THE INTERNATIONALS: Kiwi quick Lockie Ferguson had a big impact before departing for the middle east, taking eight wickets in six games. Sherfane Rutherford played a matchwinning hand against Perth when he scored 39 not out but otherwise struggled. Sam Billings played an important role behind the stumps. Mohammad Hasnain and George Garton were mid-season additions.

THE QUESTION MARK: Which quick will stand up to support Daniel Sams? The Thunder started with Nathan McAndrew, went to Wes Agar and then back to McAndrew in their quest to find a reliable third quick. Agar bowled a few great overs but lacked consistency, while McAndrew was expensive. Could the Thunder get away with playing three spinners and two quicks next season if Ferguson returns?

DREAM RECRUIT: AARON HARDIE - The Thunder went into several BBL14 games with only five bowlers and left themselves at risk of being exposed. A player such as Hardie would fill a problem spot at No. 3 and give David Warner greater versatility.

GRADE: A

Originally published as BBL14 report cards: Every Big Bash League club’s summer reviewed

Add your comment to this story

To join the conversation, please Don't have an account? Register

Join the conversation, you are commenting as Logout

More related stories

Original URL: https://www.themercury.com.au/sport/cricket/bbl14-report-cards-every-big-bash-league-clubs-summer-reviewed/news-story/6a6c141cfd3819b3f34177fa2c35573f