Top 10 Best Batsmen in BBL History – Best Big Bash League Batsmen

It’s an interesting list of the top 10 best batsmen in BBL history. Read on…

Big Bash League (or simply BBL) is a professional franchise T20 league that’s played in Australia. It was established in the year 2011 by Cricket Australia.

It’s among the top T20 leagues in the world and also has a good amount of viewers.

As of now, there have been a total of ten completed seasons. Across so many seasons, there have been many performers who have been exceptional for their franchises. 

The batsmen are an important part of any T20 league. Cricket is said to be the game of batsmen and they form a vital part of the BBL too. 

There have been many outstanding batters who have lit up the tournament with their batting efforts.

This is one such list that talks about the 10 best batsmen in BBL history of the league. 

Top 10 Best Batsmen in BBL History

Here are the top 10 batsmen in BBL history :

Rank	Batsmen	Total Runs
10	Daniel Christian	1745
9	Brad Hodge	1412
8	Alex Hales	1474
7	Marcus Stoinis	2137
6	Matthew Wade	1831
5	Shaun Marsh	2196
4	D’Arcy Short	2109
3	Aaron Finch	2431
2	Glenn Maxwell	2205
1	Chris Lynn	2790

10. Daniel Christian

Kicking off our list of the 10 best batsmen in BBL history is Dan Christian.

Christian is one of the few batsmen who have scored runs consistently across seasons, being a lower middle-order batsman. He has been playing in the league ever since its inception.

He has represented as many as four franchises in his BBL career so far, namely, Brisbane Heat, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers.

He has been consistent in terms of scoring runs lower down the order.

Batsman	Daniel Christian
Innings	98
Runs	1745
Average	24.57
Strike Rate	138.38
50+ scores	8

He also helped three of his teams to win the titles. In 2013, he helped Brisbane Heat to win the title.

In 2019, he helped Melbourne Renegades to lift the trophy. In the year 2021, he helped Sydney Sixers to claim their third title.

He was sensational in the recently concluded season, 2020-21. In 14 innings as a batsman, he scored 272 runs at an average of 34 at a strike rate of whopping 182.55 including two fifties.

Christian also holds the record of the second-fastest fifty in the history of BBL. He scored fifty of just 15 balls against Adelaide Strikers in a league match.

It came against a bowling attack that had the likes of Rashid Khan, Wes Agar, Liam Scott and so on.

So far in his BBL career, he has scored 1745 runs in 98 innings at an average of 24.75 at a strike rate of 138.38 including eight fifty-plus scores.

These are good numbers for a batsman who usually bats lower down the order.

Read More: The Best T20 Bowlers Of All Time in Cricket

9. Brad Hodge

Brad Hodge one of those batters who created a great impact on the team despite having a small career.

One thing to remember here is that he played the tournament having well past his prime in cricket.

Yet, he contributed to whichever franchise he represented, mainly as a middle-order batsman and as a lower middle-order batsman.

He had represented three franchises in his career and was in the team of the tournament in the year 2017 when he was 42 years old.

Batsman	Brad Hodge
Innings	45
Runs	1412
Average	42.78
Strike Rate	134.34
50+ scores	11

The teams represented by him include the likes of Adelaide Strikers, Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars.

In the later part of his BBL career, Hodge captained the Adelaide Strikers. He was consistent in terms of his performance.

His 2017 season was the best in terms of his performance. He represented Adelaide Strikers in 8 innings and scored 286 runs at a good average of 40.85 at a strike rate of 131.19.

Hodge also scored two fifty-plus scores in the season as a middle-order batsman.

He didn’t play much in BBL, as he was already at the back end of his career when the tournament got introduced.

He scored 1412 runs in just 45 innings at an average of 42.78. He scored them at a strike rate of 134.34 including eleven fifty-plus scores. These are impressive numbers for a batsman batting lower down the order.

8. Alex Hales

Despite not playing much in the league, he’s right there among the best of the tournament.

Hales is one of the best opening batsmen in the history of the league. He’s one of the few batters who can score at a brisk rate from the word go.

He has represented as many as four franchises in his BBL career so far, namely, Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder. He has been consistent in terms of giving good starts to his team.

Batsman	Alex Hales
Innings	47
Runs	1474
Average	33.50
Strike Rate	152.11
50+ scores	11

He’s one of the only few batters (three to be specific) to have scored over 500 runs in two different seasons.

In the 2019/20 season, Hales scored 576 runs in 17 innings at an average of 38.40. He scored them at a strike rate of 146.93 including six fifty-plus scores.

In the recently concluded 2020/21 season, he scored 543 runs in just 15 innings at an average of 38.78.

He scored them at a strike rate of whopping 161.60 including a hundred and three fifty-plus scores. These stats show how aggressive he is at the top of the order.

His strike rate of 152.11 is the highest for a batsman over 1000 runs in the history of BBL. 70 sixes hit by him is the tenth highest for a batsman in the history of BBL.

30 sixes hit by him in the 2020/21 season is the most for a batsman in a single season.

Hales has been in a superb touch recently. He has scored 1119 runs in the last two seasons combined, which is the highest for a batsman.

In 47 innings so far in his BBL career, he has scored 1474 runs at an average of 33.50 at an astonishing strike rate of 152.11 including 11 fifty-plus scores.

7. Marcus Stoinis

Stoinis is one of the best opening batsmen in the history of the league. He has been playing in the league since 2012 and has been the fifth-highest run-scorer in the entire tournament.

In his illustrious career so far, he has represented two franchises, namely, Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars.

He has been brilliant as a batsman, especially after being promoted as an opener.

Batsman	Marcus Stoinis
Innings	71
Runs	2137
Average	36.84
Strike Rate	131.58
50+ scores	15

His 2019/20 season was epic and one to remember. In 17 innings, he scored 705 runs at an average of 54.23.

Stoinis has scored them at a strike rate of 136.62 including an incredible hundred and 6 fifties.

He also broke several records in the season. His 705 runs in the season are the most for a batsman in a single season.

His best score of 147* against Sydney Sixers is the highest individual score for a batsman in the history of the league.

A whopping 28 sixes hit by him is the second most for a batsman in a single season.

Stoinis is one of the only three batters to have scored over 500 runs in a season twice. His 2018/19 season was very good too.

In 13 innings, he scored 533 runs at an average of 53.30. He scored them at a strike rate of 130.63 including 4 fifty-plus scores.

So far in his BBL career, he has scored 2137 runs in just 71 innings at an average of 36.84.

They’ve come at a strike rate of 131.58 including 15 fifty-plus scores. He has scored them as a middle-order batsman and as an opener, which shows his versatility.

6. Matthew Wade

One of the most aggressive batsmen in the history of the league. He has been playing in the league ever since its inception. Wade is a fearless batsman and a free stroke maker.

Ever since starting to play in the league, he has represented three different franchises. These include Hobart Hurricanes, Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars.

He has been exceptional as an opener to Hobart Hurricanes.

Batsman	Matthew Wade
Innings	64
Runs	1831
Average	33.29
Strike Rate	143.94
50+ scores	14

His 2018/19 season has been the highlight of his career in the league. In 15 innings, he scored 592 runs at an average of 42.28. They came at an impressive strike rate of 146.89 including 6 fifty-plus scores. 

Along with D’Arcy Short, he formed a deadly opening pair. His 592 runs in the season are the third most for a batsman in a single season.

Wade scored six fifty-plus scores in the season, which is the joint highest for a batsman in a single season.

Among the opening batsmen with over 1500 runs in the league, his strike rate of 143.94 is the third-highest for a batsman and the second-highest for an opening batsman. He can change a game in a matter of a few overs.

In his career in the league, he has scored 1831 runs in 64 innings at a good average of 33.29.

They have come at a healthy strike rate of 143.94 including a hundred and 13 fifty-plus scores. His batting has certainly got an uplift after he started opening the innings.

5. Shaun Marsh

Shaun Marsh has been one of the most consistent batsmen in the history of the league. He has been playing in the league ever since its inception. He can give amazing starts to his side consistently.

He has represented two franchises so far in his career. They include Melbourne Renegades and Perth Scorchers. He has played a fair amount of matches, and has been the fourth-highest run-getter in the history of the league.

Batsman	Shaun Marsh
Innings	61
Runs	2196
Average	41.43
Strike Rate	128.27
50+ scores	20

Marsh was exceptional in the 2012/13 season for Perth Scorchers. He played just 9 innings in the season but scored 412 runs at an incredible average of 58.85.

They came at a strike rate of 128.75 including five fifty-plus scores.

He was also good in the 2019/20 season for Melbourne Renegades.  He played 12 innings in the season but scored 449 runs at an average of 37.41. They came at a strike rate of 124.03 including three fifty-plus scores.

His consistency in the league has been at a different level. His average of 41.43 is the highest for a batsman over 1500 runs in the tournament.

His 20 fifties are the second-highest for a batsman in the history of the league.

In his amazing career so far, he has 2196 runs in just 61 innings at an amazing average of 41.43. They’ve come at a strike rate of 128.27 including 20 fifty-plus scores. These are exceptional numbers for an opening batsman.

4. D’Arcy Short

Short is one of the best opening batsmen in the history of the BBL. He has been playing in the league since 2016 and has been the sixth-highest run-scorer in the entire tournament.

In his illustrious career so far, he has represented Hobart Hurricanes. He has been brilliant as a batsman and gives good starts to his team consistently.

Along with Matthew Wade, he has formed a deadly opening pair for Hobart Hurricanes.

Batsman	D’Arcy Short
Innings	57
Runs	2109
Average	40.55
Strike Rate	138.93
50+ scores	20

His 2018/19 season was epic and one to remember. In 15 innings, he scored 637 runs at an average of 53.08. He scored them at a strike rate of 140.61 including 6 fifty-plus scores.

He also broke several records in the season. His 637 runs in the season are the second most for a batsman in a single season.

6 fifties scored by him are the joint highest for a batsman in a single season. 65 fours hit by him is the most for a batsman in a single season.

He’s one of the only three batters to have scored over 500 runs in a season twice. His 2017/18 season was very good too.

In just 11 innings, Wade has scored 572 runs at an average of 57.20. He scored them at an impressive strike rate of 148.57 including 5 fifty-plus scores.

So far in his BBL career, he has scored 2109 runs in just 57 innings at an average of 40.55. They’ve come at a strike rate of 138.93 including 20 fifty-plus scores.

He’s one of the fewest batsmen in the league to have scored multiple hundreds.

3. Aaron Finch

Finch has been one of the best opening batsmen in the Big Bash. He has been playing in the league since its inception and has been the second-highest run-scorer in the entire tournament.

In his illustrious career so far, he has represented Melbourne Renegades. He has been brilliant as a batsman and gives good starts to his team consistently.

Finch leads the team with an example by performing with the bat himself.

Batsman	Aaron Finch
Innings	76
Runs	2431
Average	34.23
Strike Rate	134.60
50+ scores	20

In 2018/19, Melbourne Renegades won their first (and only till date) title under his captaincy. Though he didn’t perform well with the bat, he contributed well in the other seasons.

The following season was the one to remember for him. In just 9 innings, he scored 363 runs at a good average of 45.37.

They came at a good strike rate of 139.08 including a hundred and three fifties.

He has the record of most fours in the history of the tournament. He has scored a total of 224 of them. With 86 sixes in the tournament, he has the joint fourth most sixes in the history of BBL. 

So far in his BBL career, he has scored 2431 runs in just 76 innings at an average of 34.23. They’ve come at a strike rate of 134.60 including 20 fifty-plus scores.

2. Glenn Maxwell

He’s the best middle-order batsman in the history of the Big Bash League. He has been playing in the league since its inception and has been the third-highest run-scorer in the entire tournament.

In his illustrious career so far, he has represented Melbourne Renegades and Melbourne Stars. He has been brilliant as a batsman and scores run at a brisk rate. He has also been a handy bowler as well.

Batsman	Glenn Maxwell
Innings	82
Runs	2205
Average	32.42
Strike Rate	149.08
50+ scores	17

His 97 sixes in the tournament are the second-highest for a batsman in the history of the league. His strike rate of 149.08 is the second-highest for a batsman over 1500 runs in the tournament.

His 2019/20 season was personally good for him. He scored 398 runs in 16 innings at an average of 39.80. They came at a strike rate of 148.50 including three fifty-plus scores. Though his team didn’t go the distance, he impressed everyone with his batting.

Further, in the recently concluded season of 2020/21, he scored 379 runs in just 13 innings at an average of 31.58.

They came at a strike rate of 143.56 including three fifty-plus scores. It was a return back to the form after a bad season of IPL.

So far in his BBL career, he has scored 2205 runs in just 82 innings at an average of 32.42. They’ve come at an amazing strike rate of 149.08 including 17 fifty-plus scores.

Read More: The 15 Best IPL Matches of all Time – and Where to Watch them!

1. Chris Lynn

The number one pick for the best batsmen in BBL history is Chris Lynn.

Lynn is the highest run-scorer in the entire tournament. He’s consistent and aggressive at the same time.

In his illustrious career so far, he has represented Brisbane Heat. He has been outstanding as a batsman.

Lynn has the record of most runs, most sixes (by miles) and most fifties in the history of the tournament.

Batsman	Chris Lynn
Innings	88
Runs	2790
Average	37.20
Strike Rate	151.05
50+ scores	24

He’s the only batsman in the history of the league to have scored more than 350 runs in a season more than three times.

In the recently concluded 2020/21 season, he was at his absolute best. He scored 458 runs in just 13 innings at an average of 35.23. They came at a strike rate of 154.72 including five fifty-plus scores.

In the 2018/19 and 2019/20 seasons, he scored 385 and 387 runs respectively in 13 and 14 innings at an average of 35.00 and 29.76.

They came at a strike rate of 126.22 and 148.44 respectively including four and two fifty-plus scores.

Back in the 2015/16 season, he was in his beast mode. In just the 8 innings of the season, he scored 378 runs at an average of 54.

They came at an astonishing strike rate of 173.39. He also scored a hundred and 3 fifties in the season.

So far in his BBL career, he has scored 2790 runs in just 88 innings at an average of 37.20. They’ve come at an outstanding strike rate of 151.05 including 24 fifty-plus scores. These are astonishing numbers, making him our #1 pick!

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Conclusion

So there you have it folks! This was our list of the top 10 best batsmen in BBL history.

Some of the best batters like Michael Klinger, Callum Ferguson, Jonathan Wells, Alex Carey, Ben Cutting, Moises Henriques and so on couldn’t make it into this list but are definitely BBL’s all-time-greats!

Which batsman deserves a spot in our list of the top 10 best batsmen in BBL history? Do let us know by tweeting us @weknowcricket. Cheers!