Big Bash League 2018/19: The Unsung Heroes' XI

Bowlers

Ben Dwarshius

Batsmen have targeted Ben Dwarshius, and he has responded brilliantly.

Dwarshius has previously experienced periods in which batsmen take to him.

This season, he seems to have conquered this flaw. He is quick. His wide yorkers are a feature of his game which shows great control over his bowling processes. Dwarshius is generally a good thinker, knowing what to bowl, and when.

Falling behind Sean Abbott, Steven O'Keefe and the English import, Tom Curran, Dwarshius has held up his end in a side where batsmen may otherwise look to take to him. Being the fourth front-line bowler is not an easy job, and yet he seems to thrive performing it.

As a No.9 batsman, he can also give the ball a whack towards the end of the innings if required.

He has continued to bowl well, restricting his opponents to an average of 6.73 runs off of his overs. The big left-armer has taken 12 wickets so far this tournament.

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Coulter-Nile's short ball is a worry for any batsman.

If we're being honest, outside of the big name Scorchers players, few have failed to perform.

It has been a sour season for the boys from the West.

The Marsh brothers, Cameron Bancroft and Ashton Turner continue to hold the side together, while Ashton Agar has been injured of late.

However, Coulter-Nile has played his role within the side. Batsmen have generally had a difficult time getting him away, and he always looks threatening - especially with his rising short ball.

He should also enjoy having three other pace bowlers in this side. It is arguable that Coulter-Nile has suffered due to Richardson's absence, meaning that he is shouldering the fast-bowling load himself. But he has acquitted himself well, remaining the go-to pace bowler for the Scorchers.

His nine wickets at an economy rate of 7.48 and his right-arm pace as a variation from the other three left-armers allow him to slot in as the sole Scorchers' unsung hero.

Josh Lalor

Josh Lalor's accuracy has seen him race to the top of the Heat wicket-taking tally.

Josh Lalor is a club-cricket success. He has played very few List-A or First Class matches, but has emerged to make T20 his own.

For the Brisbane Heat, their season has been painfully unsuccessful in comparison to past forays. The 'Bash Brothers' - Chris Lynn and Brendon McCullum - generally attract the most interest from viewers and pundits alike.

But Josh Lalor has been the pick of the Heat bowlers. His deceptive changes of pace and left-arm accuracy help to deny batsmen the room to free their arms and get him away. The control that Lalor shows will be a great addition to the other quicks, Dwarshius and Coulter-Nile.

He currently leads their wicket-taking tally, after playing only eight matches. He has claimed 11 scalps at an economy rate of 7.35. For that reason, Josh slots in at No. 11.

This team is a well-rounded playing eleven.

Perhaps one criticism could be the lack of right-arm fast bowlers. It is important that we bear in mind that left-arm pace bowlers have been very successful in T20 cricket.

At the top of the order, Ben Dunk's ability to change levels is complemented by Sam Harper's dashing flair.

Jordan Silk is better utilised at No.3, where he has time to go at his own pace and construct an innings.

George Bailey can be considered a 'floater', but one thing is for certain, he will put on a show. His captaincy nous should aid the team enormously.

Jono Wells is the other 'floater'. He can consolidate an innings but tends to excel in rotating the strike while a hitter launches from the other end. He has great staying power through the latter part of an innings.

Then the all-rounders. Daniel Sams, Cameron Boyce and Chris Green. All three can hit the ball a long, long way, and have shown a degree of competence with the bat. Having the sixth bowling option also provides some versatility for the captain should things go astray. Additionally, the inclusion of Boyce and Green affords both a leg-break and an off-break option. This is especially useful if there are alternating left and right-handers at the crease.

Ben Dwarshius, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Josh Lalor complement the side's pace bowling stocks, alongside Daniel Sams who remains up the order. All three are capable of restricting runs, giving the wicket-takers the run-rate leverage to turn the screws and bowl more aggressively.

I believe that this side would give an all-star XI a run for its money!