Ben Dunk named Player of Big Bash

Melbourne, Feb 3 (IANS) Hobart Hurricanes opener Ben Dunk has capped off a stellar Twenty20 Big Bash League (BBL) season to be named Player of the Tournament.

BBL leading run-scorer Dunk polled 18 votes to take out the award, one ahead of Melbourne Stars’ Luke Wright. Sydney Sixers’ all-rounder Moises Henriques finished third (12 votes), while five players finished in a tie for fourth on 11 points.

Dunk’s power-hitting has lifted his Hurricanes into Tuesday’s semi-final against the Stars at the MCG, including striking a winning 50 from 20 balls against former BBL champions the Heat in December to record the BBL’s fastest half-century.

Dunk joins previous BBL Player of the Tournament winners Aaron Finch and David Hussey.

The Player of the Tournament is awarded to the player who received the most votes from umpires at the end of the 32-match regular season. After each match, both umpires cast individual 3-2-1 votes.

BBL Player of the Tournament Votes:

Ben Dunk (Hurricanes) – 18 votes

Luke Wright (Stars) – 17

Moises Henriques (Sixers) – 12

Jackson Bird (Stars) – 11

John Hastings (Stars) – 11

Brad Hodge (Stars) – 11

Mike Hussey (Thunder) – 11

Christopher Lynn (Heat) – 11