BBL12 team of the tournament: Steve Smith selection puts Aussie selectors in awkward position
1. Matt Short
Matt Short was a shoo-in for team of the tournament selection, having claimed player of the tournament at the Australian cricket awards night on Monday.
The Adelaide Strikers opener compiled a competition-high 458 runs at the average of 35.23 and strike-rate of 144.47, including an unbeaten 100.
He also took 11 wickets at the economy rate of 7.13.
1. Matt Short
Short attributes his brilliant Big Bash League campaign to the Adelaide Strikers giving him a shot as an opener.
"I've got Adelaide to thank for that," Short said on stage at the Australian cricket awards night.
"I've been there five years now and the first few years didn't quite go to plan, but to be given the chance at the top of the order there — I think that's where I thrive most and I think that's where I play my best cricket.
"So I'm very thankful for that."
2. Steve Smith
Steve Smith played just five Big Bash League games this season, between the end of the Australian summer and flying to India for the forthcoming Test series, but he was at his otherworldly best in those five matches.
The former Test captain pummelled 346 runs at the average of 86.5 and strike-rate of 174.74.
He tallied 36, 101, 125 not out, 66 and 18, and is the only player with two centuries beside his name.
Smith plundered 25 sixes in his five matches for the Sydney Sixers — seven more than the man with the second-most maximums in the tournament.
3. Steve Smith
Smith was named in the Big Bash League team of the tournament despite being shunned from Australian T20 selection.
Australian cricket greats Michael Clarke and Brad Haddin both believe Smith should return to the national T20 XI on the back of his scintillating BBL form.
The prolific right-hander featured in only one game of last year's T20 World Cup, with Mitchell Marsh, Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis preferred by national selectors.
Australia flopped in its T20 World Cup title defence, failing to reach the semi-finals.
The next 20-over World Cup will take place in the United States and the Caribbean in June 2024.
3. Aaron Hardie
Aaron Hardie was named at first drop in the team of the tournament, having chalked up 443 runs at the average of 44.3 and strike-rate of 141.53 so far.
The Perth Scorchers weapon has made four half-centuries, including an unbeaten 90.
3. Aaron Hardie
Hardie dives into his trick bag in a match against the Hobart Hurricanes.
4. Aaron Finch (c)
Aaron Finch peeled off 428 runs at the average of 38.90 and strike-rate of 121.24.
Bolstering the Melbourne Renegades in the middle order instead of opening, where he's batted for the majority of his sparkling career, Finch scored four half-centuries, including an unbeaten 76.
4. Aaron Finch
Finch was also named captain in the team of the tournament.
5. Josh Inglis (wk)
Josh Inglis has struck 405 runs at the average of 36.81 and strike-rate of 148.89, including a top score of 74.
4. Josh Inglis
The Perth Scorchers star has also registered a tournament-high 16 dismissals, including 14 catches and two stumpings.
