Ricky Ponting picks his BBL all-time XI

Cricket Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL) has been a massive success as huge crowds are coming to watch the games on the ground. The BBL has been a trending topic in the OZ along with the ongoing Ashes series which the Australians have already got back in their pocket with a 3-0 lead. Another trending topic in the past few months has been selecting the best XI sides. Former Australia skipper Ricky Ponting who is also doing the commentary for the Big Bash League has come up with his all-time side for the BBL.

Openers

Ponting’s first opener for his side will be Shaun Marsh. Marsh averages over 50 in the BBL and with a strike rate of 127 runs, Marsh’s numbers are enough to take the openers job according to Ricky Ponting. To team up with Marsh from the other end, Ponting has chosen Renegades captain Aaron Finch. Finch is second leading run-scorer in the BBL history and his strike rate is very good for an opener. With left-hand, right-hand combination at the top, Ponting feels this will be a formidable opening pair at the top.

No. 3 batsman

Chris Lynn, the big hitter is Ponting’s number 3 in his all-time BBL XI. Lynn’s 96 sixes in the history of the BBL are the most hit by any batsmen. With a strike rate of over 160, Lynn joins the two openers in the side picked by Ponting.

Middle order

Ponting has gone for experienced Brad Hodge for his middle order lineup. Hodge’s average of 43 and strike rate around 135 will be an asset to the team. His plenty of experience will be of great help according to Ponting.

The 35-year-old George Bailey will be captaining the side selected by the former Australia skipper Ponting. Bailey who averages around 40 and a strike rate of 135, according to Ponting will bring a lot of experience in the middle order of the side.

Mitchell Marsh, the other Marsh brother will be taking the responsibility of the all-rounders in the Ponting’s all-time XI. According to Ponting, the powerful hitter can clear the boundaries easily. He is the only player in the BBL history who averages more than 40 and has taken more than 10 wickets.

Tim Paine will be donning the gloves for the Ponting’s side. Currently, Paine is in a great form and has most runs and dismissals to his name than any other wicketkeeper in all the BBL and that makes him Ponting’s choice for the wicketkeeper.

Bowlers

The first main bowler that Ponting has gone with is Andrew Tye. According to Ponting, the variations in the speed and yorkers from Tye makes him a very interesting bowler. He has one of the best economy rates in the history of the tournament.

Ben Laughlin will share the ball with Andrew Tye as Ponting’s second choice for the seam bowler. Laughlin has most wickets in all the BBL and he averages around 19 with the ball which is a great record. His slower balls and yorkers can be used at different stages of the game according to Ponting. With good fielding abilities, Laughlin finds a place in the all-time BBL XI of Ponting.

46-year-old Chinaman bowler Brad Hogg is Ponting’s number 10. According to Ponting, the batters even now fail to pick the wrong’uns bowled by Hogg. He has got 2nd-most wickets in the history of the BBL and is loved by the crowd.

Ponting has chosen Jason Behrendorff for his number 11. According to Ponting, Behrendorff’s ability to take wickets with the new ball is excellent. He can bowl his 4 overs upfront and can pickup two-three wickets early on which makes him Ponting’s 11th man in the side.

The final list of the all-time XI by Ricky Ponting: Shaun Marsh, Aaron Finch, Chris Lynn, Brad Hodge, George Bailey (c), Mitchell Marsh, Tim Paine (wk), Andrew Tye, Ben Laughlin, Brad Hogg, Jason Behrendorff

What do you think about Ponting’s side? Good enough to win a BBL season? What’s your side?