Another pandemic season
The eleventh season ran from 5 December 2021 to 28 January 2022 and was again disrupted by COVID-19, this time by infection rather than by closed stadiums. Squads were repeatedly depleted, clubs signed local replacement players at a day's notice, and several matches were played by sides barely recognisable from the ones named a fortnight earlier. Western Australia's border remained closed, which meant Perth Scorchers spent the second half of the season on the road and, having finished top of the table, did not host a single finals match.
The scoring system of 2020-21 was retained: three points for a win, one Bash Boost point for leading at the halfway stage of the chase.
Maxwell at the MCG
On 19 January Glenn Maxwell made 154 not out from 64 balls for Melbourne Stars against Hobart Hurricanes at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Melbourne Stars finished on 273 for 2. Both figures remain the highest in Big Bash League history. It was a strange season for such an innings: the Stars won seven of fourteen and missed the finals, and the same club had been bowled out for 61 by Sydney Sixers on the opening night, losing by 152 runs, which is still the largest margin the competition has recorded.
Ben McDermott made 577 runs for Hobart Hurricanes, with hundreds against Sydney Sixers and Brisbane Heat, and was named player of the tournament even though his side missed the finals. Peter Siddle, then 37, took 30 wickets for Adelaide Strikers to equal the season record. Rashid Khan's 6 for 17 against Brisbane Heat was the best return of the summer.
Bash Boost decides fourth
The bonus point system produced its most conspicuous result. Adelaide Strikers won six of fourteen matches and lost eight, but collected ten Bash Boost points, more than any other side, and qualified fourth ahead of Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars, who had each won seven. Adelaide then justified it by winning both the Eliminator, against Hobart at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, and the Knockout, against Sydney Thunder by six runs at the same ground, before losing the Challenger to Sydney Sixers by four wickets at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The final
Perth Scorchers had beaten Sydney Sixers by 48 runs in the Qualifier at Marvel Stadium and met them again there on 28 January. Perth made 171 for 6, Laurie Evans scoring the runs that mattered, and Sydney Sixers were bowled out for 92 in 16.2 overs. The margin of 79 runs was the largest in a Big Bash League final. Evans was named player of the match.
It was Perth's fourth title, taking them clear of every other club, and it was won without a single home match in the finals.