Ranking the Top 5 Batsmen in the Big Bash 2015

The Big Bash League is over for another season, with the Perth Scorchers retaining their title in dramatic circumstances in Canberra.

As expected in the Twenty20 format of the game, batsmen prospered. Not even the big grounds used in Australia could contain them.

The English trio of Kevin Pietersen, Michael Carberry and Michael Lumb all impressed for their franchises, though it was an experienced Australian in Michael Klinger who topped the run-scoring charts. 

To mark the conclusion of the tournament—which included seeing a new BBL crowd record in the semi-final at the Adelaide Oval—we have picked out five players who starred with the bat. 

Feel free to give your thoughts on the selections via the comments section. Did we miss someone out? 

Michael Klinger (Perth Scorchers)

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Runs: 326
Average: 36.22
Highest score: 105 not out

Perhaps not seen as a Twenty20 specialist, Perth's Michael Klinger finished the campaign as the leading scorer in the Big Bash.

No other player topped 300 runs during the campaign. Klinger also registered one of the two centuries scored during this season's tournament, the other by Melbourne Stars' Peter Handscomb.

Klinger—a batsman who is no stranger to English audiences, having spent time at Gloucestershire—was pivotal at the top of the order for the defending champions.

He made 33 for the Scorchers as they went on to retain their title in Canberra, beating the Sydney Sixers in a thrilling final that went down to the very last ball. 

Kevin Pietersen (Melbourne Stars)

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Runs: 293
Average: 41.85
Highest score: 67 not out

Kevin Pietersen did not disappoint in his debut season in the Big Bash.

Signed by the Melbourne Stars on a two-year deal, the South African-born batsman hit three half-centuries and played a key role as his franchise reached the knockout stages.

As well as making an impression on the field, Pietersen also made waves in the commentary box. He claimed that new England one-day captain Eoin Morgan wanted him back in the national side, per the Daily Mail.

He did at least justify his high salary during his time with Melbourne by scoring plenty of runs at the top of the order.

Pietersen—now making a career as a T20 specialist after being sacked by England—will be back next year with the Stars. It seems he cannot wait to go back again, according to his Twitter account. 

Nic Maddinson (Sydney Sixers)

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Runs: 284
Average: 31.55
Highest score: 85

Nic Maddinson is a batsman who loves to go big. No player hit more sixes in the Big Bash in 2014/15 than the 16 he managed for the Sydney Sixers.

The left-hander started off with a 84 not out against the Melbourne Renegades at the top of the order, though the runs rather dried up after that.

However, he was moved down a spot to bat three in the closing stages, and the switch paid off when the 23-year-old blasted 85 off just 48 deliveries in the semi-final victory over the Adelaide Strikers.

While he was unable to fire Sydney to glory in the final, Maddinson has the potential to be a T20 star for many years to come. 

He has already been capped twice by Australia in the shortest format of the game. 

Jordan Silk (Sydney Sixers)

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Runs: 272
Average: 54.40
Highest score: 69 not out

Jordan Silk was a model of consistency for the Sydney Sixers.

Well, he was until it came around to the knockout stages of the tournament.

The right-hander made just three in both the semi-final win over the Adelaide Strikers and the final against the Perth Scorchers.

They were the only times during the tournament that he did not reach double figures, though.

In his nine innings, he finished not out on four occasions, helping him finish with a phenomenal average for T20 cricket.

Silk twice hit half-centuries, with his best knock of 69 not out seeing his side to the most unlikely of victories in the Sydney derby against the Thunder. 

The 22-year-old—who is an outstanding fielder, both inside the circle and in the deep—has been rewarded for his excellent form with a new three-year contract, as announced on the Sixers' official website.

Tim Ludeman (Adelaide Strikers)

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Runs: 253
Average: 31.62
Highest score: 92 not out

Tim Ludeman may not have finished in the top five when it comes to runs scored, but he deserves some recognition for helping Adelaide reach the knockout stages for the first time in their history.

The Strikers ended up finishing the group stages on top of the table, though they were knocked out on home soil in the semi-finals by the Sydney Sixers.

Ludeman got the fourth edition of the Big Bash off to a fantastic start when he smashed an unbeaten 92 from just 44 deliveries on opening night.

The wicketkeeper-batsman hammered the Melbourne Stars for five sixes and nine fours. His efforts helped Adelaide chase down a target of 149 with an astonishing 45 balls to spare.