TLA’s stable of cricketers have distinguished themselves as the best in Australian short-form cricket with the conclusion of the BBL11 season.
Blasting their way to their fourth domestic title in 11 years, the Perth Scorchers turned the tables on last year’s champions, the Sydney Sixers, with a comprehensive win in the Final played at Marvel Stadium.
Perth Captain and TLA talent Ashton Turner led his side to their 79 run victory, with fellow TLA cricketer Laurie Evans producing a scintillating 76* to be named Man of the Match.
TLA’s Nick Hobson and Matt Kelly also played integral parts for the Scorchers throughout the season.
Valiant in defeat, Hayden Kerr starred for the Sixers in 2021/2022, producing a match-winning 98* in the semi-finals as an opener. With the ball, Kerr picked up 25 wickets in 17 matches to cement himself as one of Australia’s premier T20 bowlers.
As the season concluded, Hobart Hurricanes opener Ben McDermott was named Player for the Tournament after a stand-out season with the bat.
McDermott scored back-to-back centuries in late December, becoming the first Big Bash player to achieve the feat, on his way to a tournament-high of 577 runs at a strike rate of 153.86.
The consistent season-long performance earned McDermott the BKT Golden Bat, with fellow TLA talent Jonathan Wells (Adelaide Strikers) finishing runner up with 501 runs.
In the race for most wickets – the BKT Golden Arm – veteran bowler Peter Siddle (Adelaide Strikers) proved he’s still got plenty to give, topping the table with 30 dismissals (ahead of Kerr with 25).
McDermott, Kerr and Siddle were all included in the BBL’s 13-man Team of the Tournament, with Siddle given the nod as captain.
Attention now turns to Australia’s five upcoming T20 matches against a touring Sri Lankan side in mid-February.
