AFTER 56 regular season games and in the midst of an intriguing finals series, the BBL|12 Team of the Tournament has been announced. Coaches from all eight BBL clubs cast their votes on the 12-man squad, which is skippered by Aaron Finch and features Player of the Tournament Matt Short.

The latter, along with Steve Smith, Aaron Hardie, and leading wicket taker Sean Abbott were all unanimous choices among the coaches. Reigning champions and current 2022/23 title contender the Perth Scorchers boast a high of three representatives.

>> RECAP: BBL Finals – Week 1

1. MATT SHORT (Adelaide Strikers)

458 runs @ 35.23 | 144.47 SR | 100* HS | 100 x1, 50 x2
11 wickets @ 22.81 | 7.13 economy | 3-14 BB

Short was a unanimous Player of the Tournament pick this season for his all-round impact as spearhead of the Adelaide Strikers. Often times he would open both the bowling and batting, proving economical in one discipline and damaging in the other. His unbeaten ton to successfully chase 230 against the Hobart Hurricanes was the stuff of legend, and has him in the frame for international T20 honours.

2. STEVE SMITH (Sydney Sixers)

346 runs @ 86.50 | 174.74 SR | 125* HS | 100 x2 | 50 x1

He may only have featured in five games, but Smith produced a whirlwind cameo in the latest BBL instalment. The four-time Allan Border Medallist passed 50 in three of his five innings, including two remarkable centuries and a tournament high score of 125*. What’s more, he led the competition for sixes (25) and went at a scorching strike rate of 174, adding enormous quality to an already dominant Sixers side.

3. AARON HARDIE (Perth Scorchers)

443 runs @ 44.30 | 141.53 SR | 90* HS | 50 x4
4 wickets @ 21.25 | 7.72 economy | 2-10 BB

One of Australia’s emerging talents in all formats, Hardie had a terrific tournament and thrived upon being afforded more responsibility with the bat. Promoted to number three, the 24-year-old notched up four half-centuries and may yet lead the league for runs by the end of finals, requiring just 16 runs to surpass Short’s tally of 458.

4. AARON FINCH (c) (Melbourne Renegades)

428 runs @ 38.90 | 121.24 SR | 76* HS | 50 x4

Reprising the role of Renegades captain in the wake of Nic Maddinson‘s season-ending knee injury, Finch produced a bunch of vintage knocks in BBL|12. He peeled off four half-centuries and remained unbeaten in as many innings, showcasing perfection in the art of the run chase on several occasions. Fly-in stars may come and go, but it’s clear that Finch remains the core of the Renegades’ lineup.

5. JOSH INGLIS (wk) (Perth Scorchers)

405 runs @ 36.81 | 148.89 SR | 74 HS | 50 x4
16 dismissals (3 max) | 14 catches | 2 stumpings

Another sublime Scorcher among this season’s best of the best side, Inglis fared well with both the bat and gloves. He lead the competition for dismissals (16), catches (14) and stumpings (two), all while contributing a quartet of half-centuries. Like teammate Hardie, he remains in the leading-runs race with a total of 405, set to be built on in Saturday’s final.

6. TIM DAVID (Hobart Hurricanes)

354 runs @ 39.33 | 160.90 SR | 76* HS | 50 x1
1 wicket @ 111.00 | 8.53 economy | 1-18 BB

Things may not always have gone to plan for David in BBL|12, but there’s no denying his importance to the Hobart Hurricanes. Often times he was tasked with pulling off improbable match-winning feats and he finished unbeaten with the bat on five occasions along the way – including in his definitive knock of 76 to beat the Sydney Thunder. David was handy with the ball too, helping shut out the ‘Canes final game against Brisbane.

>> Stats Hub: BBL|12

7. MICHAEL NESER (Brisbane Heat)

24 wickets @ 17.87 | 8.43 economy | 4-25 BB
93 runs @ 10.33 | 127.39 SR | 45* HS

The recently crowned domestic player of the year has been integral to the Heat’s 2022/23 campaign, averaging a tick under 18 with the ball. Though Neser’s listing at seven is perhaps lofty, he can also wield the willow and proved as much with an 18-ball knock of 45* against the Sixers. His menacing seamers on ideal lines and length produced many a highlight this season, including a hat trick against the Renegades.

8. SEAN ABBOTT (Sydney Sixers)

28 wickets @ 14.07 | 7.77 economy | 3/9 BB

Abbott continues to go from strength to strength in the T20 format, and broke new ground in BBL|12. He became the first player to reach 150 wickets in the competition and led all comers in 2022/23 with 28 poles at an average of just over 14. Though others yielded more prolific hauls, Abbott’s consistency of breakthroughs was outstanding, claiming six three-wicket hauls in 14 matches.

9. ANDREW TYE (Perth Scorchers)

25 wickets @ 19.28 | 8.31 economy | 3/27 BB

Another stalwart of the competition, Tye has breathed new life into his career at the ripe age of 36 and only trails Abbott for overall wickets. He has 25 to his name with only the final to play, notching up four three-wicket hauls and claiming multiple victims in nearly every innings. Having regained a yard of pace, he is as dangerous as he has ever been with the white ball.

10. TOM ROGERS (Melbourne Renegades)

23 wickets @ 20.04 | 8.25 economy | 5-16 BB

In his maiden season for the Renegades, Rogers was a real difference maker as the Melbourne-based side qualified for its first finals campaign since BBL|08. Accustomed to beating the bat and keeping things tight, Rogers’ most memorable spell this year was his fiery 5-16 against local rivals the Stars, making him one of just three players with a five-for in BBL|12.

11. PADDY DOOLEY (Hobart Hurricanes)

19 wickets @ 12.78 | 6.56 economy | 4-16 BB

The headlines wrote themselves as Dooley rose to prominence in BBL|12, bringing all the excitement and flair the competition should be renowned for. His unusual bowling action combined well with notable skill to yield the spinner 19 wickets at an average of just under 13, making him the most prolific tweaker of the tournament across 10 matches.

12th. CHRIS LYNN (Adelaide Strikers)

416 runs @ 41.60 | 141.01 SR | 87 HS | 50 x3

A shock move to the Strikers was just what Lynn needed to get back to his best, producing some typically brutal knocks in his 11 matches this season. The big-hitting Queenslander was often key to his side’s batting innings alongside Short, and with three half-centuries, he provided both substance and attacking intent at first drop.