In fact, we have selected two teams.  The first one is a team of Australia’s finest and will explain why players have been picked in this article.  The second one is a team of overseas superstars so look out for that.

How do you go about picking a team of the decade from the BBL’s history? Firstly, reputation has been ignored unless it has been earned in the competition. Secondly, looking back of the statistics to see who has performed in the BBL. Thirdly, and arguably the most contentious criterion, is making sure that the team has balance.

With criteria set, and caveats already offered, let’s see who made it into the Australian BBL team of the decade:

D'Arcy Short – Hobart Hurricanes

Batting ave 45.84, SR 145.53, HS 122no; Bowling ave 35.13, ER 8.45, BB 2-17

An explosive opener, Short has been one of the most destructive batters in the BBL. Last season, he topped the run scoring list as his opening partnership with Matthew Wade delivered many fast starts.

 

Usman Khawaja – Sydney Thunder

Batting ave 46.95, SR 132.35, HS 109no

Khawaja has returned to the Thunder for BBL09. He may have lost his international place but BBL fans have benefitted. A proven run maker in T20, Khawaja is a must at the top of the innings.

 

Shaun Marsh – Perth Scorchers / Melbourne Renegades

Batting ave 49.41, SR 130.38, HS 99no

Another proven batter in the BBL, Marsh’s consistent run scoring is highlighted by his average. He’s leading the averages across the BBL (min 10 innings) and warrants his place purely for consistency.

 

Glenn Maxwell – Melbourne Renegades / Melbourne Stars

Batting ave 31.60, SR 153.38, HS 84; Bowling ave 33.00, ER 7.71, BB 3-26

Maxwell combines a vast array of shots, to all parts of the ground, with handy spin bowling. If Maxi stays at the crease, the scoreboard flicks over a rate of knots. It’s why Maxwell went for so much money in the recent IPL auction, he’s a match-winner.

 

Brad Hodge (capt) – Melbourne Stars / Melbourne Renegades / Adelaide Strikers

Batting ave 42.78, SR 134.34, HS 88

Having played 50 games with three teams, Brad Hodge’s batting and captaincy underpins the team. With 11 fifties and only one duck, Hodge’s consistency gets him the nod over others.

 

Marcus Stoinis – Perth Scorchers / Melbourne Stars

Batting ave 33.32, SR 125.47, HS 99; Bowling ave 20.75, ER 8.45, BB 4-21

The all-rounder role goes to Stoinis for his ability to bat anywhere in the batting order as well as providing the team with medium pace accuracy.

 

Alex Carey (wk) – Adelaide Strikers

Batting ave 37.91, SR 133.74, HS 100

He’s Australia’s white-ball gloveman for good reason. In the BBL, he averages 1.08 dismissals per match. Carey is a superb wicketkeeper but, more importantly, will provide impetus in the death overs with his aggressive batting.

 

Shaun Abbott – Sydney Thunder / Sydney Sixers

Batting ave 10.89, SR 111.67, HS 39; Bowling ave 21.98, ER 8.56, BB 5-16

Abbott is the second highest wicket-taker in BBL history and is included because of his ability to take wickets. A strike rate of 15.40 along with contributing useful lower order runs means that Abbott gets a bowling spot.

 

Andrew Tye – Sydney Thunder / Perth Scorchers

Batting ave 11.25, SR 102.33, HS 42; Bowling ave 19.81, ER 7.53, BB 5-23

Tye’s innumerable delivery variations at the end of an innings makes him a lock-in for the team. Gets wickets (strike rate 15.70) at key times too.

 

Brad Hogg – Perth Scorchers / Melbourne Renegades

Batting ave 4.29, SR 69.83, HS 9no; Bowling ave 24.03, ER 7.99, BB 4-29

Not selecting Shane Warne as leg-spinner is a brave call. However, Brad Hogg’s performances in the BBL warrant inclusion. More than a wicket per match played combined with an economy rate below seven runs per over.

 

Mitchell Johnson – Perth Scorchers

Bowling ave 22.75, ER 6.15, BB 3-3

Just 19 matches for Johnson but an average of less than 23 with an economy rate of just over six runs per over. Those stats along with aggressive pace bowling means that MJ gets the final bowling place.

 

Chris Lynn (12th man) – Brisbane Heat

Batting ave 39.50, SR 152.67, HS 101; Bowling ave 25.00, ER 6.82, BB 2-15

Unlucky to miss out, Lynn’s brutal striking is a joy to behold. Perhaps too inconsistent to warrant a first-eleven place but the BBL’s leading run scorer easily gets twelfth man duties.

 

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From the final 12, there are nine current players in the team. Honourable mentions go to the following players who could have made the list: Aaron Finch (Melbourne Renegades), Michael Klinger (Perth Scorchers), George Bailey (Hobart Hurricanes), Travis Head (Adelaide Strikers), Moises Henriques (Sydney Sixers), Mike Hussey (Sydney Thunder / Perth Scorchers).