As the BBL enters its 15th season, we thought it was worth looking at an all-time XI. To guide us, we've used ESPNcricinfo's Smart Stats, which add context to every performance, batting or bowling, including quality of opposition and match situation in terms of the pressure on the player. This system was created in 2019 and has been retrospectively run for all BBL seasons. We have attempted to select a balanced XI, which has required a level of independent judgement to fill some roles. The cut-off was set to a minimum of 50 games played. The Smart Stats rankings are shown below, where the player was in the top 25 of a respective list.
Matt Short
Overall record Matches: 85; Runs: 2186; Average: 29.14; S/R: 143.15; 100s: 2 | Wickets: 33; Average: 33.15; Economy: 7.58
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 3rd; Batting: 13th
Three outstanding seasons from 2021-22 to 2023-24, including back-to-back player-of-the-tournament awards, have elevated Matt Short into this list. The move to open for Adelaide Strikers super-charged Short's career and put him on a path to representing Australia. Throw in his offspin and you have a powerful all-round combination.
Alex Hales
Overall record Matches: 78; Runs: 2360; Average: 32.32; S/R: 149.08; 100s: 1
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 10th; Batting: 2nd
Former England batter Alex Hales is the leading overseas run-scorer in the tournament's history. He had a superb three-year run with Sydney Thunder from 2019-2020 to 2021-22 where he scored 1502 runs including his one century - 110 off 56 balls in the 2020-21 derby against Sydney Sixers, an innings that included eight sixes.
Chris Lynn
Overall record Matches: 127; Runs: 3955; Average: 36.28; S/R: 149.92; 100s: 1
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 6th; Batting: 1st
Chris Lynn is a legendary figure in BBL and the competition's highest run-scorer having played in every season since it began. At his best he is one of the hardest hitters of a cricket ball in the world and formed the Bash Brothers pairing with Brendon McCullum at Brisbane Heat before moving to Adelaide Strikers. In the 2015-16 and 2016-17 campaigns he had a strike over 170. Overall he has 220 sixes in the BBL with daylight to Glenn Maxwell in second on 149.
Glenn Maxwell
Overall record Matches: 118; Runs: 3241; Average: 35.22; S/R: 155.36; 100s: 2 | Wickets: 45; Average: 32.22; Economy: 7.67
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 2nd; Batting: 3rd
There have not been many more valuable players in the BBL than Glenn Maxwell. He sits third in the overall runs chart and holds the tournament's highest individual score: a remarkable 154 not out off 64 balls against Hobart Hurricanes in 2022. Since 2018-19 he has only once failed to pass 300 runs for the season. His offspin is consistent enough to be classed as frontline while he has produced some of the most stunning pieces of fielding.
Marcus Stoinis
Overall record Matches: 112; Runs: 2977; Average: 33.07; S/R: 133.31; 100s: 1 | Wickets: 44; Average: 26.75; Economy: 8.65
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 13th; Batting: 15th
Marcus Stoinis is a very versatile player. He has spent considerable time opening, including when he made 147 off 79 balls against Melbourne Stars in 2020, but is also an experienced middle-order operator. He averages 28.82 at No. 4 and 5 in BBL with a strike-rate of 141.82. Holds the record for the most runs in a BBL season: 705 in 2019-20. Also provides a handy option with the ball.
Matthew Wade
Overall record Matches: 108; Runs: 2817; Average: 30.61; S/R: 140.77; 100s: 1
Smart Stats rankings Overall: N/A; Batting: 9th
This is where selection gets a little creative, to fill the wicketkeeper position. Much of Matthew Wade's success has come at the top of the order - including 592 runs in the 2018-19 season - but he has shown the ability to be a finisher, particularly in the latter stages of his career so that has earned him the slot in this XI.
Rashid Khan
Overall record Matches: 69; Wickets: 98; Average: 17.51; Economy: 6.44
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 1st; Bowling: 1st
An iconic figure in Adelaide Strikers and BBL history. He helped Strikers into the 2017-18 final before missing the decider on international duty but the title was still secured - the last time Strikers were champions. Rashid was also part of them reaching three more finals campaigns. In effect, Rashid was two bowlers in one: an attacking weapon, but with oppositions often so keen to see him out that he earned wickets for others.
Ben Dwarshuis
Overall record Matches: 117; Wickets: 148; Average: 22.49; Economy: 8.12
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 7th; Bowling: 8th
One of the most consistent performers over the last seven seasons, Ben Dwarshuis' BBL success has earned him international honours. A left-arm seamer with a range of variations, he can operate at any stage of an innings. He was a central part of Sixers' back-to-back titles in 2019-20 and 2020-21, finishing as their leading wicket-taker in the latter. Currently the third-highest wicket-taker in the competition's history. His power game with the bat has also developed.
Nathan Coulter-Nile
Overall record Matches: 77; Wickets: 95; Average: 21.75; Economy: 7.46
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 4th; Bowling: 4th
Potentially a somewhat surprising inclusion, but Nathan Coulter-Nile ranks highly in Smart Stats. He was a consistent performer for Perth Scorchers before injury hit. He then moved to Melbourne Stars where, in 2022-23, he would have his best campaign with 16 wickets at 18.25 and an economy rate of 6.79.
Riley Meredith
Overall record Matches: 78; Wickets: 103; Average: 22.52; Economy: 8.15
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 14th; Bowling: 3rd
When his body allows, Riley Meredith is the fastest bowler in Australia, with a fearsome bouncer. It was in the 2018-19 BBL season that he shot to prominence and has remained a consistent performer with five seasons of 16 or more wickets, including a key role in Hobart Hurricanes first title last season. His best campaign was 2022-23 when he finished with 21 wickets at 21.23.
Jason Behrendorff
Overall record Matches: 106; Wickets: 140; Average: 19.31; Economy: 7.02
Smart Stats rankings Overall: 6th; Bowling: 2nd
One of the finest bowlers in BBL history, left-armer Jason Behrendorff has been a constant menace with the new ball in hand. Has never taken fewer than nine wickets in a season and in 2022-23 took 21 at 17.52 as Scorchers claimed back-to-back titles for the second time. Currently sits sixth on the all-time list as he heads into a new chapter with Melbourne Renegades.