Mitchell Owen and Cooper Connolly were among the top run-getters. [Source: @mitch_owen16 & @BBL/X]
Sydney Thunder captain David Warner and Melbourne Stars captain Glenn Maxwell dominating Big Bash League 2024/25 charts signifies that Australia were in trustworthy hands until now. Hobart Hurricanes batter Mitchell Owen and fast bowler Riley Meredith, Perth Scorchers all-rounder Cooper Connolly and pacer Jason Behrendorff and Melbourne Renegades pacer Tom Andrews doing well signifies that Australia are going to be in trustworthy hands in the future.
Been the losing finalists twice in the past, Hurricanes have lifted the silverware for the first time. Having done it under Nathan Ellis, it marks the first instance of a fast-bowling captain winning the BBL. With Pat Cummins having already set the precedent across the other formats, who knows if Ellis follows his footsteps in T20Is.
Speaking of international cricket, BBL 14, in addition to being a much-needed commercial success for CA (Cricket Australia), must have also convinced the selection committee regarding a plethora of talent waiting to be unleashed. With Australia not qualifying for the semi-finals of a T20 World Cup last year and scheduled to play another one next year, expect the below mentioned names to get frequent chances from the next available opportunity.
An Opening Contender
With the likes of Matthew Short and Jake Fraser-McGurk already vying to become Travis Head’s opening partner in the shortest format in the long run, Owen’s breakout season allowing him to emerge as the highest run-scorer has presented Australia with another opening contender.
Owen, who had played all of 13 T20s across four seasons for HH previously, played all 11 matches this season. Only batter to cross the 100-run mark twice, Owen was among the two batters to touch the 400-run mark for the season. Overall, he amassed 452 runs at an average and strike rate of 45.20 and 203.60 respectively.
If the tag of most runs wasn’t enough for Owen to announce himself, the 23-year-old player’s swashbuckling century, fastest for Hobart and in BBL final history, will further push his case.
An All-rounder Comes To Light
Been part of a game-changing BBL-winning partnership a couple of years ago, Connolly has transformed his ability to play impact-generating cameos into performances worthy of leaderboard recognition.
Connolly finished the season as its third-highest run-scorer. 351 runs at an average and strike rate of 50.14 and 131.46 respectively were well-complimented by six wickets at an economy and strike rate of 7.41 and 24 respectively. Already in contention for a Test debut, Connolly is more than likely to add to his four limited-overs caps for Australia in the near future.
Fast Bowlers’ Supremacy Biggest Upshot Of BBL 14
Other than Behrendorff, Rogers, Meredith and Ellis, MS’ Mark Steketee and PS’ Lance Morris being the joint third-highest wicket-taker is a sign in the positive direction for Australian cricket. With the legendary Australian trio comprising Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Cummins into mid 30s now, Australia would welcome these many pacers putting their hands up in their premier domestic competition.
Barring Rogers and Steketee, the remaining four names have received their national caps. However, neither of them has managed to cement a spot in either of the three formats. With wickets being the biggest currency for a bowler, Australian selectors have a good selection headache regarding pacers.