Summary
BBL 6 saw a total of 24 overseas players representing the eight city-based franchises. Here, I take a look at ranking the 16 overseas players to have played at least five games in this year's tournament. The eight players not to have played at least five games are:
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| Dwayne Bravo's BBL came to an abrupt end in just his second outing (PHOTO: Robert Prezioso - CA) |
- Jason Roy (4 games)
- Thisara Perera (4)
- Colin Munro (3)
- Ish Sodhi (3)
- James Vince (3)
- Carlos Brathwaite (3)
- Tymal Mills (2)
- Dwayne Bravo (2)
To determine the order of the 16 players, I have taken a look at each of their games and given them a rating before calculating an overall average based on those ratings.
16) Michael Lumb (Sydney Sixers)
The fourth overseas player to represent the Sixers in BBL 6, replacing compatriot Sam Billings, Lumb was brought in to open up at the top of the innings alongside Daniel Hughes. Having represented the Sixers in previous editions of the BBL, Lumb was a tried and tested choice for a replacement at the top of the order.
Indeed, the 36-year-old began his campaign in impressive fashion, making 31 off 22 balls against the Renegades in a six-wicket win. However, that was to prove to be Lumb's peak for the tournament, as he collected just 23 runs in his next four innings, including just five in the Final.
15) Kumar Sangakkara (Hobart Hurricanes)
A legend of the game, Sangakkara brings class and experience to any side he represents. It was not to be in BBL 6, however, as the mercurial Sri Lankan laboured to a total of 68 runs in his five outings, averaging just 17.
It was to prove consecutive tournaments in which the 39-year-old had failed to make an impact, having scored 105 runs in eight innings last year at an average of just over 13.
14) Andre Russell (Sydney Thunder)
In four innings, the West Indian's top score was a paltry 9 made in his first game against the Sixers, with a further 16 runs being added in his three subsequent knocks.
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| Like his West Indies teammate, Russell joined Bravo in leaving the tournament early through injury (PHOTO: Mark Metcalfe) |
His bowling was somewhat better, although inconsistent. Two good spells were produced either side of two expensive ones, with the 28-year-old collecting just three wickets in 16.4 overs.
The all-rounder's woes were compounded in his fifth, and ultimately final, game against the Stars where he hobbled off injured after completing just one over.
13) Luke Wright (Melbourne Stars)
The 31-year-old had yet another solid tournament, scoring 262 runs in nine innings and making it into the top 10 runscorers for the second successive year. Wright also cemented his place as the highest-scoring overseas player in the history of the BBL (1398), over 400 runs clear of his closest challenger: the aforementioned Lumb (986).
The Sussex man started the campaign in impressive fashion, scoring 118 runs in his opening three matches, before mustering just 22 runs in his next three. That brief slump was comprehensively ended in the following two games, with Wright passing 50 in both. However, it was a disappointing end to the tournament for the former England international as he fell victim to Mitchell Johnson in full flow in the semi-final, dismissed without scoring.
12) Kevin Pietersen (Melbourne Stars)
Like Wright, Pietersen had yet another strong Big Bash. In fact, Pietersen has quite the record in Big Bash League cricket, with this season's total his lowest thus far in what was his third BBL campaign.
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| Pietersen had yet another run-filled BBL campaign, although he couldn't quite lead the Stars past the semi-finals (PHOTO: Darrian Traynor) |
2015-16 saw the 36-year-old improve on his previous total, scoring 323 runs in nine games, finishing third behind the brilliant duo of Usman Khawaja and Chris Lynn.
Although BBL 6 was his leanest campaign to date, the Stars batsman still managed to finish in the top eight batsmen, scoring 268 runs in the eight innings he played. Consecutive fifties early on, along with a couple of solid contributions, saw Pietersen continue his fine BBL record.
11) Ian Bell (Perth Scorchers)
An impressive showing in his first BBL campaign and the only overseas player to play all ten games, Bell helped himself to 231 runs in nine innings. Averaging 33, the 34-year-old started off in fine fashion as he compiled a classy 61 in his first game against the Strikers.
However, from then on Bell could only muster a number of starts, aside from the 45 he made on New Year's Day against the Thunder. Nevertheless, it was still an impressive showing from the former England man and he was unbeaten on 31 as he watched Klinger strike the winning runs from the non-strikers end in the Final.
10) Chris Jordan (Adelaide Strikers)
While expensive at times, in the five games that Jordan played for the Strikers he only failed to pick up at least two wickets on one occasion. The 28-year-old signed off from his maiden BBL campaign with his best performance, against the Hurricanes.
The bowling all-rounder picked up 3-24 from his alotted four overs, including the notable scalps of Tim Paine and George Bailey. He then joined Ben Dunk in an unbeaten sixth wicket partnership of 33 as he and Dunk saw the Strikers home, with Jordan finishing not out on 15.
9) Sam Billings (Sydney Sixers)
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| The young Englishman enhnaced his burgeoning reputation with an accomplished debut BBL campaign (PHOTO: Mark Metcalfe - CA) |
Not required to bat in the opener, the 25-year-old then embarked on scores of 42, 40 and 40 in his first three innings as a BBL player.
Although he did not get to the middle against the Thunder, Billings still assisted his side's win, dismissing Ryan Gibson and Pat Cummins with catches in the deep.
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