Photo Credit: Melbourne Stars
For the first time, both the Weber WBBL|10 and KFC BBL|14 Player of the Tournament awards have been shared, with Ellyse Perry, Jess Jonassen, Glenn Maxwell and Cooper Connolly recognised at tonight’s Australian Cricket Awards.
The WBBL and BBL Player of the Tournament awards are decided by the standing umpires in each home and away season match, with each submitting votes on a 3-2-1 basis.
Perry and Jonassen could not be split after polling 25 votes apiece in their stellar WBBL|10 campaigns.
Sydney Sixers captain Perry was the outstanding batter of this WBBL season, notching 424 runs at an average of 53 to claim the BKT Golden Bat. She was also recognised with selection in the WBBL|10 Team of the Tournament and named captain of the WBBL Team of the Decade.
Brisbane Heat counterpart Jonassen was also rewarded for her stellar leadership, guiding her side into the Final while delivering a 14-wicket and 174-run season herself. Jonassen, the leading wicket-taker in WBBL history, was also selected in the Team of the Decade.
Samantha Bates (Sydney Thunder, 19 votes), Sophie Molineux (Melbourne Renegades, 18 votes) and Georgia Voll (Sydney Thunder, 17 votes) rounded out the top five for the award.
The award for the outstanding player in BBL|14 was also shared between Maxwell and Connolly, two of the League’s most exciting players who each polled 18 umpires’ votes.
After missing two matches due to injury, veteran Maxwell struck 297 runs at a strike rate of 194.12 and average of 59.4 as the Melbourne Stars charged into the Finals with five straight wins. He sits third on the League’s all-time run-scoring chart.
Perth Scorchers elevated Connolly into the top order and he delivered from the opening game of the season, claiming to BKT Golden Bat with 351 runs at 50.14 apiece. He and Maxwell were both named in the BBL|14 Team of the Tournament.
Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes, 16 votes), Will Sutherland (Melbourne Renegades, 14 votes) and Tom Rogers (Melbourne Renegades, 13 votes) rounded out the top five.
In addition to naming the WBBL|10 and BBL|14 Player of the Tournament recipients, the WBBL Team of the Decade was also recognised at the Australian Cricket Awards.
The team, voted by an expert panel, was adjudged to have made the greatest on-field contributions throughout the League’s first decade, including runs, wickets, dismissals and contribution to key matches.
The WBBL Team of the Decade is: Beth Mooney, Alyssa Healy (wk), Meg Lanning, Ellyse Perry (c), Sophie Devine, Grace Harris, Jess Jonassen, Marizanne Kapp, Amanda-Jade Wellington, Sarah Aley, Megan Schutt, Molly Strano.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, said:
“The League congratulates all four Player of the Tournament winners from Weber WBBL|10 and KFC BBL|14 on their outstanding performances this season.
“Ellyse, Jess, Glenn and Cooper all produced memorable campaigns for their sides, with their match-winning performances drawing record crowds and audiences.
“To have a tie for both awards demonstrates the quality of players in our competitions and just how well balanced our teams are, which leads to great cricket every night over summer.
“We also congratulate all members of the WBBL Team of the Decade once again on their contributions to the League since its inception.”
Weber WBBL|10 Player of the Tournament
Ellyse Perry (Sydney Sixers, 25 votes)
Jessica Jonassen (Brisbane Heat, 25 votes)
Samantha Bates (Sydney Thunder, 19 votes)
Sophie Molineux (Melbourne Renegades, 18 votes)
Georgia Voll (Sydney Thunder, 17 votes)
KFC BBL|14 Player of the Tournament
Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars, 18 votes)
Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers, 18 votes)
Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes, 16 votes)
Will Sutherland (Melbourne Renegades, 14 votes)
Tom Rogers (Melbourne Renegades, 13 votes)
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Name of Author: Cricket Australia

Cricket Australia (CA), formerly the Australian Cricket Board (ACB), is the governing body for cricket in Australia. Established in 1905 as the Australian Board of Control for International Cricket, CA manages all national teams, including Men’s, Women’s, and Youth sides, as well as other national teams. It oversees the organization of Test matches, ODIs, and T20Is, and coordinates home international fixtures.