Which Batsman has the Best Batting Average in BBL History?

Highest Batting Average in BBL 2024

Steve Smith had the highest average in BBL 2024/25. The former Australian skipper returned to the premier T20 league after playing in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Smith in his two innings made a century and a half-century maintaining an average of 173. 

English bowling all-rounder, Jamie Overton ranks second on the list. Overton scored 191 runs in the season at an average of 95.50. Marnus Labuschagne with just one innings next to his name ranks third having scored 77 runs. 

List of Best Batting Average in BBL History

5. Laurie Evans (37.75)

Laurie Evans has the 5th best batting average in the BBL. The English batter has an average of 37.75 which is the best for an overseas player in the tournament. Evans has played for the Perth Scorchers and Melbourne Renegades. However, it was with the five-time champions, where the right-hander enjoyed most success. 

In 2023/24, Evans made 292 runs in 10 games at an average of 58.40. However, along with consistency, his strike rate was the major talking point. The Englishman struck at a rate of 189.61 during the season. He made a move to Renegades ahead of the 2024/25 season. The move turned out be a harmful one for all the three parties involved. 

4. Mitchell Marsh (38.08)

Mitchell Marsh has the 4th best batting average in the BBL. The right-handed batter has scored 1,904 runs in the tournament at an average of 38.85. Mitchell in the last few years has been an impressive batter and is the current holder of the Allan Border Medal which is considered to be the most prestigious individual prize in Australian cricket. 

Mitchell started playing cricket for Australia after his father, Geoff, and elder brother, Shaun had already created a legacy for the family name. However, Mitchell has stepped up positively both in international cricket and the Big Bash League. His last season in the BBL came in 2021/22 which was certainly his best. Marsh scored 347 runs in eight matches averaging 57.83 while having a strike rate of 142.79.

3. Shaun Marsh (40.72)

Shaun Marsh has a better average than his brother, Mitchell. The elder of the two Marsh brothers has the 3rd best batting average in the BBL. In 79 matches, Shaun has scored 2,810 runs at an average of 40.72. Shaun was one of the first T20 specialists from Australia in leagues all over the world. 

He started the BBL in the same fashion as he did in the IPL where he was the top run scorer in the first season. In the BBL, Shaun was the top run scorer in the second season. The Big Bash League 2012/13 was Shaun’s best season. In nine matches, he scored 412 runs at an average of 58.85 while maintaining a strike rate of 128.75. However, a disappointing performance in the finals meant that Shaun and the Perth Scorchers ended up as the runner-up.

2. Brad Hodge (42.78)

Brad Hodge has the best batting average in the BBL. He has scored 1,412 runs at an average of 42.78. The former Australian batter has played 50 matches for Melbourne Renegades, Melbourne Stars, and Adelaide Strikers. Hodge in the seven seasons he has played has been a consistent performer for his teams. His average of 42.78 is the best for any Australian batter. Only in BBL 2014/15 did Hodge’s batting average drop below 35.

However, in spite of his consistent run-scoring ability at the top of the order, the former Australian cricketer has never won the BBL. Hodge’s most impressive batting season came in 2012/13 for MS. He scored 342 runs in the season at an average of 48.85 while maintaining a strike rate of 144.91.

1. Steve Smith (46.11)

Steve Smith has the best batting average in the BBL. The former Australian skipper has scored 1,199 runs in 34 matches in the premier T20 tournament. Most of his teammates and fans would have expected Smith to end up on any batting record list when he started his career as a leg-spinner. Apart from the infamous ball-tampering scandal in 2018, Smith’s career has been almost perfect in spite of his unorthodox batting style.

In the Big Bash League due to his International commitments, Smith has played a limited number of matches despite being one of the best batters in the country. His best season came in 2022/23 when Smith scored 346 runs including two centuries. He averaged 86.50 and struck at a rate of 174.74. His exploits for Sydney Sixers earned him a spot in the Australian T20I team.