The Cricketer assesses the best performers from the last week of Australia's premier T20 competition
Despite a duck in the Melbourne Derby, Stoinis had began attempts to retain his place in this XI with a half-century against Sydney Thunder.
It was a knock with few flourishes, but it did the job for the Stars. There is little doubt, however, that he left the fireworks for the visit of the Sixers over the weekend.
Stoinis was simply brutal, smashing 147 from 79 balls to break a host of records along the way. His ability to work the ball with such fluidity into the leg side was a joy to watch, and it led to the biggest individual score in the competition's history.
After not batting against Sydney Thunder, Cartwright responded in emphatic fashion. He hammered 35 from 21 balls to build the foundations for the Stars' chase against the Renegades.
Two days later, though he was second fiddle to Stoinis, he played his own part in the biggest ever Big Bash partnership. His own 59 included six fours and three sixes, a 40-ball stand which might be a footnote in the context of the match, but certainly made a difference come the final outcome. The 207 he put on with Stoinis will live longer in the memory.
We wouldn't have forgotten him, would we?
Banton's spell at Brisbane Heat might be over but his legacy is three half-centuries and the metronomic hitting of boundaries.
The Englishman's run-a-ball 17 against Hobart Hurricanes was overshadowed by his part in the remarkable boundary catch involving Matt Renshaw, which saw Matthew Wade dismissed.
In his final outing, though it might have come in defeat, Banton turned on the style with 55 from 32 balls, with seven fours and two sixes, as he charged the Perth Scorchers' attack.
Get this in and around your eyes 👀
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) January 12, 2020
💥 Every one of Tom Banton's #BBL09 sixes 💥pic.twitter.com/r4xIP8Odw3
The Marsh brothers went head-to-head at the start of the week, and Mitch got the better of the exchange with the first of his two wickets coming when Shaun picked out Liam Livingstone.
He might have hit 21 later in the game but it was in the clash with Brisbane Heat when he found his grove, hammering 93 from 41 balls, a knock which included eight maximums.
More important than Maxwell's form over the last week has been his admittance that he is dealing well with the mental health problems which forced him to take a break from cricket.
That said, 'The Big Show' lived up to his billing with two fabulous knocks. Against Thunder he scored 59, an effort which included some remarkable hitting fitting of any highlights reel.
A third half-century of the competition followed against the Renegades a few days later, as he revived a struggling Stars chase and inspired them to victory.
GONE 😮#BBL09pic.twitter.com/SMzpVZ0R9J
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) January 10, 2020
Lower-order batsman have a rather passive existence in T20 cricket, often asked to either pull the wood out of the fire or sacrifice themselves in an effort to finish off the innings.
Cutting had already taken a wicket and two catches during the Hurricanes innings and he completed a player-of-the-match display with 43 from 29 deliveries to guide his side home with 10 balls left.
The England allrounder was first change against Adelaide Strikers but he was still able to influence the match, with figures of 4-22 turning it the way of the Sixers. That spell was punctuated by a pinpoint yorker which bowled Jake Weatherald.
And in a tight run-chase, his 21 from 20 balls was key as Sixers got home with eight balls left. We won't mention the 1-58 against the Melbourne Stars if you don't.
Ben Cutting has influenced with bat and ball
The leading spinner in the tournament with 14 wickets from eight matches. The Afghanistan youngster took 4-22 against the Sixers, including his third T20 hat-trick.
James Vince, Jack Edwards and Jordan Silk were sent back in successive deliveries, to complete the fifth hat-trick in Big bash history, though it couldn't prevent Sixers strolling to victory.
When Melbourne Renegades came to town, Rashid was at his mischievous best. Bowling with a formidable total already registered, he made fools of the batsman, dismissing Beau Webster and fellow-countryman Mohammad Nabi.
Hat-trick for Rashid Khan!#BBL09pic.twitter.com/3l48lnNod4
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) January 8, 2020
Three times called on as an injury replacement in this competition, the Pakistani has come good on one of the biggest stages around.
The past week was no exception as he took his heroics to a new level. After Rashid had taken a hat-trick earlier in the day, Rauf made history with a second. As you do.
Matthew Gilkes, Callum Ferguson and then Daniel Sams were unable to provide an answer to Rauf's electric pace, which continues to befuddle batsmen. The ultimate underdog story has another chapter.
Two #BBL09 hat-tricks in one day 🤯pic.twitter.com/aiNiJRWDIt
— The Cricketer (@TheCricketerMag) January 8, 2020
An injury-dominated 2019 is very much forgotten as Richardson continues to swell his reputation as the only man for both ends of an innings.
That was very much in evidence against Renegades as his three wickets ensured Perth kept them within sight. Dismissing Australia captain Aaron Finch was certainly the highlight.
Richardson stared at both ends of the Brisbane innings too a few days later, getting rid of Max Bryant in his first spell, and James Pattinson in his second.
Tom Curran had a mixed week but picked up a man-of-the-match award
No matter the format, the scene or the stage, Siddle has a handy knack of picking up wickets regardless of the surroundings. Renegades have endured a miserable campaign and the veteran added to it with 3-14 as Strikers comfortably defended 174. At 35, he shows no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
Welcome to www.thecricketer.com - the online home of the world’s oldest cricket magazine. Breaking news, interviews, opinion and cricket goodness from every corner of our beautiful sport, from village green to national arena.