The 12th edition of the Big Bash League threw up a number of stars who took the opportunity to shine and leave a mark. Here are the breakout stars from the 2022/23 BBL.
Patrick Dooley (Hobart Hurricanes)
19 wickets @ 12.78, ER: 6.56
No bowler picked up more wickets than Dooley at a better average or economy rate, which indicates the stellar season the 25-year-old had. The left-arm wrist-spinner had played only one BBL game last season, when he was brought in as a Covid-19 replacement player, but he was signed by Hobart Hurricanes for the entire duration this time. The mystery spinner, who has a unique ‘double windmill’ action inspired by Jasprit Bumrah, picked up nine wickets in his first four matches, including 4-16 against Perth Scorchers. His phenomenal run helped him ink a deal with the franchise until at least 2025.
Aaron Hardie (Perth Scorchers)
443 runs @ 44.30, SR: 141.53
The 24-year-old made his T20 debut in 2019 but did not have the greatest start to his career, averaging 16.2 ahead of this BBL edition. Aaron Hardie, who had never batted above No.5 before BBL 12, was pushed up to No.3 during the season, and there has been no looking back. He is the second-highest run-scorer in the BBL this edition with four fifties, the highlight being an unbeaten 90 off just 62 balls against the Hurricanes.
His strike rate of 141.53 also indicates the hitting form he was in.
Ollie Davies (Sydney Thunder)
333 runs @ 27.75, SR: 133.73
Sydney Thunder had an inconsistent BBL, losing seven and winning seven games despite the efforts of Alex Hales (245 runs) and Davies. The latter ended as the top-scorer for his team and was often the lone man standing. He scored a stunning 65 in 32 deliveries against the Hobart Hurricanes and followed up with a steady 47-ball 58 in a run chase of 143 against Perth Scorchers to display his ability to bat according to the situation. The 22-year-old made his T20 debut in 2020 but only played 15 games before this edition of the BBL.
Henry Thornton (Adelaide Strikers)
16 wickets @ 16.56, ER: 8.59
Though Henry Thornton’s economy rate was on the higher side, he emerged as one of the most impressive youngsters in the tournament, picking up a wicket every 11.5 deliveries. Inspired by Brett Lee, Thornton bowled unrelenting lines whilst hitting speeds over 140kmph consistently. In his BBL debut for Sydney Sixers in 2017, Thornton conceded 40 runs and had to wait five more years to play in the tournament again. He started off with 4-20 against his former side before picking up 5-3 against Sydney Thunder to bowl them out for a mere 15 runs.
Josh Brown (Brisbane Heat)
233 runs @ 17.92, SR: 143.82
Brown hit 19 sixes through the competition, giving his side quick starts up the order more often than not. He only made one fifty but batted with a strike rate in excess of 160 three times. The highlight was a 23-ball 62 against the Sixers, where he hit six sixes to help his side post 224-5, and reached his fifty within the powerplay. Though Brown registered five single-digit scores in a row, he gave enough evidence of his power-hitting skills. The 29-year-old made his professional debut in this BBL.
Liam Hatcher (Melbourne Stars)
11 wickets @ 22.18, ER: 7.62
The right-arm fast bowler had played only 17 T20 games since making his debut in 2017 but had a breakout season in the 2022-23 BBL, where he bowled economically and picked up wickets in all but two games. Hatcher conceded less than 7.5 runs an over five times through the competition in eight innings, including less than five twice.
Caleb Jewell (Hobart Hurricanes)
289 runs @ 26.27, SR: 144.50
Caleb Jewell was at his aggressive best in this BBL at the top of the order, with all his three fifties being scored at a rate of over 160. He first struck a 28-ball 54 against the Strikers and followed it up with a 25-ball 54 in the very next game, with his runs coming at a strike rate of 216. The 25-year-old left-hander has previously played three seasons of the BBL but was unable to leave a mark, with his strike rate unable to climb over 130 in the past. Jewell’s aggressive batting perfectly complimented Tim David’s but it was not enough as the team failed to make the summit clash.
Spencer Johnson (Brisbane Heat)
8 wickets @ 30.62, ER: 7.35
Johnson’s numbers might not be eye-catching at first glance, but the left-hander was singled out for praise by Brett Lee. The 27-year-old, who had played three List A games before his BBL debut against Perth Scorchers this edition, impressed Lee with his action. Johnson bowled the perfect line in his maiden BBL over, forcing batter Stephen Eskinazi to swing and miss a couple of times. Johnson’s best figures of 3-28 came in the Challenger against the Sixers, which helped his team advance to the final.
