Australian cricket is at a crossroads right now. Old-school hierarchies are clashing with raw, undeniable form. The Big Bash League (BBL) has become the main testing ground for T20 innovation.
This forces selectors to look past their usual lists. The BBL|15 season is showing off a new group of big-hitting young players. With the T20 World Cup cycle in full swing, playing it safe won’t work.
Selectors will fall behind if they ignore the massive numbers the league’s best hitters are putting up. Australia need players who don’t just show up. They need players who tear the opposition apart. The selectors must pick players based on match-winning impact rather than just their names.
Here are the four standout BBL performers who should be in the next T20 squad:
1. Mitchell Owen (Hobart Hurricanes)
Owen has transformed from a middle-order hopeful into the most feared batter in the league during the 2024-25 season. He piled up 452 runs across 11 innings, but his strike rate is what really matters.
Striking at 203.60, Owen destroys bowling attacks with 36 sixes. The 24-year-old beats out established international stars by a mile. No other batter in the league shows that kind of consistent power. He can clear the boundary from the very first ball, which fixes Australia’s old problem of slow scoring in the middle overs.
2. Cooper Connolly (Perth Scorchers)
Owen has the power, but Connolly has the cool head and finishing skills. The young left-hander finished with 351 runs at a great average of 50.14 in the last full season.
More importantly, he gets the Scorchers over the line in tight finishes. The 22-year-old shows he can handle the heat when the game is on the line. He is versatile enough to bat in the top order or finish the innings. The national side really needs that kind of flexibility.
3. Josh Brown (Melbourne Renegades)
Brown has the kind of raw power that you just can’t teach. His 140 off 57 balls is still one of the best innings in BBL history. His recent form shows that it wasn’t just a one-off. Brown dominates the powerplay and makes bowlers change their plans right away.
Moving to the Renegades shows the 31-year-old can perform anywhere. He continues to take down pace bowlers without any fear. You simply have to pick a guy who hits the ball this hard.
4. Harry Dixon (Melbourne Renegades)
Young players are usually fearless, and Dixon is the best example of that. During the 2025-26 season, the 20-year-old is looking like a real star in the making. He can flip a game in an instant. His aggressive style at the top of the order works well with more experienced partners.
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Dixon’s hand-eye coordination allows him to access unique areas of the ground. Selectors often wait too long to give young players a chance. Dixon is the right pick to bring some fresh energy into the team immediately.
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