Big Bash History: Winners and Runners-Up From Every Season

Back in 2008, the BCCI made a game-changing decision that redefined the world of cricket. That was the year India’s cricket board unleashed the electrifying allure of T20 cricket through the IPL—a spectacle wrapped in glitz and glamour. Fast forward, and countries around the globe have tried to replicate the IPL's magic with varying levels of success. Among these, one league stands tall for its consistent innovation and thrilling entertainment—Australia’s Big Bash League (BBL).

As the BBL gears up for its 14th season, cricket fans can barely contain their excitement. With the anticipation building, we’ve decided to take a nostalgic trip down memory lane, revisiting every winner and runner-up in this riveting competition’s history. Let’s dive into the unforgettable moments and iconic teams that have shaped the Big Bash League into the global phenomenon it is today. 

Inaugural Season: 2011-12 

Winner: Sydney Sixers 

Runner-Up: Perth Scorchers 

The BBL kicked off with a bang, and the inaugural final was held at the WACA Ground (Perth). The Sydney Sixers, led by Steven Smith, faced off against the Perth Scorchers. The Sixers chased down a target of 157 runs, winning by seven wickets, thanks to a stellar performance from Moises Henriques, who scored 70 runs off just 41 balls. 

Season 2: 2012-13 

Winner: Brisbane Heat 

Runner-Up: Perth Scorchers 

The underdog Brisbane Heat triumphed over Perth Scorchers in emphatic fashion. Batting first, Brisbane posted 167/5, bolstered by crucial knocks from Joe Burns and Dan Christian. The Scorchers faltered in their chase, with Brisbane's Ben Cutting delivering a stellar all-round performance, including two wickets. Perth's inability to build partnerships led to a comprehensive 34-run loss. 

Season 3: 2013-14 

Winner: Perth Scorchers 

Runner-Up: Hobart Hurricanes 

The Scorchers finally claimed their first title after two previous losses, defeating Hobart Hurricanes at the WACA Ground. The Scorchers set a challenging target of 191 runs, with Shaun Marsh scoring 63 runs. His younger brother, Mitchell Marsh, finished the 1st innings in style as he scored 37 runs from just 12 balls.  The Hurricanes struggled in their chase, managing only 152 runs, leading to a comfortable victory for Perth.   

Season 4: 2014-15 

Winner: Perth Scorchers  

Runner-Up: Sydney Sixers  

The Perth Scorchers continued their dominance by winning back-to-back titles. Batting first, the Sixers posted 147/5, with Moises Henriques top-scoring with 77. A steady bowling performance from the Scorchers, including contributions from Yasir Arafat and Jason Behrendorff, restricted the Sixers to a chaseable total. In response, Perth's innings ebbed and flowed. Shaun Marsh anchored the chase with a measured 73 off 59 balls, while wickets at regular intervals kept the Sixers in the hunt. With 8 needed off the final over, Michael Carberry held his nerve, helping Perth reach the target with six wickets down on the very last ball of the match. 

Season 5: 2015-16 

Winner: Sydney Thunder  

Runner-Up: Melbourne Stars  

In a surprising turn of events, Sydney Thunder clinched their first title against Melbourne Stars at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Batting first, the Stars posted a competitive 176/9, led by Kevin Pietersen’s commanding 74 off 39 balls. The Thunder bowlers, especially Shane Watson, took key wickets to prevent the Stars from running away with the game. In response, the Thunder's chase was powered by Usman Khawaja's stunning 70 off 40 balls. His elegant stroke play set a strong foundation. Despite losing wickets at crucial moments, the Thunder held their nerve, with vital contributions from captain Michael Hussey (18) and Jacques Kallis (28). A thrilling finish saw the Thunder cross the line in 19.3 overs, scoring 181/7. The Thunder’s victory completed a remarkable turnaround, as they had struggled in earlier seasons, and it marked a fairytale ending for Michael Hussey in his final BBL season. 

Season 6: 2016-17 

Winner: Perth Scorchers  

Runner-Up: Sydney Sixers  

The Scorchers secured their third title in four years with another impressive performance against Sydney Sixers at the WACA Ground. Batting first, the Sixers struggled to build momentum, finishing with 141/9. Their innings was held together by Johan Botha’s gritty 32, while Brad Haddin chipped in with a 38-run knock. Perth’s bowlers were outstanding, with Jhye Richardson (3/30) leading the attack and restricting the Sixers to a subpar total. In the second innings, the Scorchers made light work of the chase. Openers Michael Klinger (71 not out) and Sam Whiteman (41) laid a solid foundation with a commanding 75-run partnership. Klinger’s composed knock, supported by Ian Bell’s quickfire 31, ensured the Scorchers reached their target in just 15.5 overs, finishing at 144/1. 

Season 7: 2017-18 

Winner: Adelaide Strikers  

Runner-Up: Hobart Hurricanes  

Adelaide Strikers made history by winning their first BBL title in a dramatic final against Hobart Hurricanes. The Strikers, powered by a scintillating century from Jake Weatherald, posted a formidable 202/2 in their 20 overs. Weatherald’s 115 off just 70 balls, laced with 9 fours and 8 sixes, was the backbone of the innings. He was ably supported by Travis Head, who chipped in with an unbeaten 44. Chasing 203, the Hurricanes started positively, with D’Arcy Short anchoring the innings with a well-crafted 68. However, the Strikers’ bowlers, led by Peter Siddle (3/17), applied relentless pressure, ensuring the Hurricanes couldn’t maintain the required scoring rate. Despite a late surge from Dan Christian, who scored 29 not out, Hobart fell short, finishing at 177/5. 

Season 8: 2018-19 

Winner: Melbourne Renegades  

Runner-Up: Melbourne Stars  

In an all-Melbourne final at Marvel Stadium, Melbourne Renegades triumphed over their city rivals, Melbourne Stars. The Renegades, opting to bat first after winning the toss, posted a total of 145/5 in their 20 overs. Despite losing early wickets, Tom Cooper (43 not out) and Dan Christian (38 not out) built a solid 80-run sixth wicket partnership which took the Renegades to a competitive total. The Stars' bowlers, particularly Adam Zampa (2/21) and Jackson Bird (2/25), were disciplined but struggled to make consistent breakthroughs, allowing the Renegades to reach a competitive total. In response, the stars were off to a flier after Ben Dunk and Marcus Stoinis put up an opening partnership of 93 runs. However, after Stoinis’ dismissal in the 13th over, everything went south for the Stars. The Stars’ middle and lower order crumbled under pressure, with no other batter crossing 20. Dan Christian (2/33) and Chris Tremain (2/21) were the standout performers with the ball for the Renegades, restricting the Stars to 132/7 in their 20 overs. 

Season 9: 2019-20 

Winner: Sydney Sixers  

Runner-Up: Melbourne Stars  

The Sydney Sixers returned to glory with their second title after defeating Melbourne Stars at the SCG. Sydney Sixers won the toss and chose to bat first in a rain-affected match, which was reduced to 12 overs per side. They posted a competitive total of 116/5, thanks to a brilliant 52 from Josh Philippe. Philippe's knock, which came off 29 balls, anchored the innings, while Jordan Silk played a crucial role with a quick-fire 27 off 15 balls. In response, Melbourne Stars were restricted to just 97/6 in their 12 overs, falling short of the target. Despite a valiant effort from Nick Larkin, who top-scored with 38 off 26 balls, the Stars never really got going. Larkin's efforts were not enough to propel the Stars towards victory as they struggled to keep up with the required run rate. The Sydney Sixers' bowlers dominated the chase, and despite the Stars' resilience, they fell short by 19 runs. 

Season 10: 2020-21 

Winner: Sydney Sixers  

Runner-Up: Perth Scorchers  

The Sixers continued their dominance by winning back-to-back titles against Perth Scorchers at the SCG once again. The Stars posted a strong total of 188/6 in their 20 overs, largely thanks to an outstanding knock by James Vince, who top-scored with 95 off 60 balls. In reply, the Scorchers never quite managed to get the chase on track. Liam Livingstone was the standout performer with the bat, top-scoring with 45 runs off 35 balls. However, he lacked support as the Scorchers struggled against the Sixers' disciplined bowling attack. Ben Dwarshuis was the star with the ball, taking 3/37, including key wickets at crucial moments. Sean Abbott (2/33) also played a vital role, breaking important partnerships and keeping the Scorchers in check. The Scorchers were eventually restricted to 161/9 in their 20 overs, falling short of the target by 27 runs. 

Season 11: 2021-22 

Winner: Perth Scorchers  

Runner-Up: Sydney Sixers 

The Scorchers won the toss and chose to bat first, posting a competitive total of 171/6 in their 20 overs. The innings was anchored by an explosive knock from Laurie Evans, who remained unbeaten on 76 off 41 balls, providing the Scorchers with a solid base. Ashton Turner also played an important role, contributing 54 runs from 35 balls. His knock included several key boundaries in the middle overs, helping the Scorchers recover after losing wickets. In response, the Sixers’ chase collapsed dramatically. The Scorchers’ bowlers dominated from the outset, and the Sixers were skittled out for just 92 runs, losing by a heavy margin of 79 runs. A combination of brilliant bowling and poor shot selection saw the Sixers' batting line-up fall apart. None of their batters managed to put up a substantial score, with only Daniel Hughes (42 runs off 33 balls) making a marginal contribution. Andrew Tye was the standout bowler, taking 3/15 in three overs, wreaking havoc with his variations. Tye’s performance, along with the support from Jhye Richardson (2/20) and the disciplined bowling of the entire Scorchers attack, sealed a dominant win for Perth.  

Season 12: 2022-23 

Winner: Perth Scorchers  

Runner-Up: Brisbane Heat  

The Scorchers made it five titles with another commanding performance against Brisbane Heat at Optus Stadium. The Heat posted a total of 175/7 in their 20 overs. Nathan McSweeney top-scored with a steady 41 off 37 balls, anchoring the innings. Sam Heazlett also contributed with a solid 34 from 30 balls, while Max Bryant's explosive 31 off 14 balls helped lift the Heat to a competitive total. Despite some useful contributions, the Heat lost wickets at regular intervals, with Perth's bowlers keeping the pressure on. After losing three wickets for 54 runs, the pressure was firmly on the Scorchers in the second innings. However, Perth’s skipper Ashton Turner played a match-winning knock, top-scoring with 53 runs off 32 balls, including key boundaries to keep the run chase on track. Nick Hobson (18* off 7 balls) and Cooper Connolly (25* off 11 balls) finished the job with a flurry of boundaries, ensuring the Scorchers crossed the line with ease. Perth reached 176/3 in 18.2 overs, securing a dominant 7-wicket win.  

Season 13: 2023-24 

Winner: Brisbane Heat  

Runner-Up: Sydney Sixers  

Brisbane Heat ended their long wait for another title by defeating Sydney Sixers in an exciting final at SCG. Opener Josh Brown was the top scorer, making 53 off 38 balls, anchoring the innings. Matt Renshaw contributed a quick-fire 40 off 22 balls, while captain Nathan McSweeney played a valuable knock of 33 off 32 balls. Despite these key contributions, the Heat lost wickets at regular intervals, with Sean Abbott (4/32) leading the way for the Sixers with a brilliant bowling performance, keeping the Heat's total in check. In response, the Sixers' chase crumbled under pressure from the Heat's bowlers. The Heat bowled out the Sixers for just 112 runs, winning by a commanding 54 runs. Moises Henriques, the Sixers' captain, top-scored with 25 off 27 balls, while Josh Philippe made 23 off 22 balls. However, none of the other batters could make a significant impact, as the Heat's bowlers dominated. Spencer Johnson was the star with the ball, claiming 4/26. Mitchell Swepson (2/19) and Xavier Bartlett (2/12) provided excellent support, helping to dismantle the Sixers' batting line-up.