Melbourne Stars opener Sam Harper has been named the KFC BBL|15 Player of the Tournament, capping off a dominant season in which the wicketkeeper delivered career best performances and emerged as one of the competition’s most damaging top-order players.
Harper enjoyed an extraordinary home and away season, scoring 371 runs at an average of 61.83 and strike rate of 155.23, including an unbeaten century against the Sydney Sixers on Boxing Day.
His 110* came off just 60 deliveries and saw him score 75 per cent of his team’s runs in the successful chase against a quality attack.
The wicketkeeper-batter’s hot form continued with 84 not out from 51 balls to lead the Stars to victory in the second Melbourne Derby of the season.
Harper’s consistency at the top of the order, combined with his trademark energy behind the stumps, played a pivotal role in the Stars’ qualifying for finals.
Player of the Tournament is adjudicated by the on-field umpires, both awarding 3-2-1 votes from each match.
The KFC BBL|15 Team of the Tournament will be announced tomorrow.
Alistair Dobson, Cricket Australia’s Executive General Manager, Big Bash Leagues, said:
“Sam has enjoyed an outstanding season and has delivered highly entertaining and match-winning performances for the Melbourne Stars.
“Sam is one of the BBL’s most popular players and has wide-earned respect across the League for his dedication and humility across the past ten seasons. We’re absolutely thrilled to see him named Player of the Tournament in BBL|15.
“The even spread of voting demonstrates the quality of players in our competition and just how well balanced our teams are, which leads to great cricket every night over summer.”
KFC BBL|15 Player of the Tournament
1. Sam Harper (Melbourne Stars) – 16 votes
2. Liam Scott (Adelaide Strikers) – 15 votes
2. David Warner (Sydney Thunder) – 15 votes
4. Thomas Curran (Melbourne Stars) – 14 votes
4. Jack Edwards (Sydney Sixers) – 14 votes
