Five key questions which will shape SuperCoach BBL teams

SuperCoach BBL teams are slowly taking shape, but with several clubs still to finalise their rosters, it’s worth being flexible. Here’s five key questions which need to be answered and could be determine your line-up.

Patience is a virtue all SuperCoaches need to live by.

While it’s tempting to lock in your team early, being flexible is crucial to SuperCoach BBL success.

Unlike the AFL — where lists are all but finalised after the draft — Big Bash League squads can change significantly in the last month before the season launches and even during the tournament.

Teams including Perth Scorchers and Hobart Hurricanes still have spots to fill, while the Australian Test squad to face New Zealand will impact several franchises.

Here are five of the key storylines to watch for which could shape your final team.

Jofra Archer’s likely absence would be a blow for Hobart Hurricanes.

1. Will Hobart Hurricanes replace Jofra Archer?

Paceman Jofra Archer is still contracted to Hobart, but England’s tour of South Africa appears certain to rule him out of BBL09. The Hurricanes are yet to announce whether they will sign another international to replace Archer, with spinner Qais Ahmad ($148,600) set to return after impressing in three games last summer. Hobart has James Faulkner ($155,400), Riley Meredith ($139,000), David Moody ($103,000), Tom Rogers ($81,000) and Aaron Summers ($42,000) as seam-bowling options, but will surely want to replace Archer. Nathan Ellis ripped through a star-studded NSW in the Marsh Cup and is making a strong case for a BBL contract.

Andrew Tye will miss the BBL after undergoing elbow surgery.

2. How will the injury-hit Perth Scorchers line up?

BBL09 is set to represent a significant changing of the guard for Perth Scorchers. Stalwarts Nathan Coulter-Nile and Hilton Cartwright have joined Melbourne Stars, while Australian T20 bowler Andrew Tye is out for up to four months after elbow surgery. Jason Behrendorff (back) has been ruled out for the summer after spinal surgery in a further blow to Perth’s fast bowling stocks, while imports David Willey and Usman Qadir have not been retained. Fawad Ahmed ($113,000) will help fill some of the bowling void after signing from Sydney Thunder, but expect Cameron Green ($42,000), Aaron Hardie ($85,500) and Matthew Kelly ($165,100) to earn more opportunities than previous seasons. Kurtis Patterson ($95,000) is another new face at the top of the order.

Will Andre Russell be returning to the BBL with Melbourne Renegades? Picture: Phil Hillyard.

3. Will the Andre Russell rumours come true?

West Indian all-rounder Andre Russell has been linked with a return to Melbourne Renegades in a signing which would further strengthen the reigning champion’s claims for back-to-back BBL crowns. BBL teams can only play two internationals in one team and Russell’s arrival would give the Renegades three overseas players, with Harry Gurney ($130,100) and Mohammad Nabi ($149,200) already on their books. Russell made 185 runs with a strike rate of 187 and took 16 wickets in BBL05. While that was four seasons ago, he’ll be hard to overlook if he does return to Australia.

Will Ben McDermott fill Matthew Wade’s gloves at Hobart?

4. Who will keep for Hobart Hurricanes in Matthew Wade’s likely absence?

There are several unanswered questions about the Hurricanes, including who will deputise should Matthew Wade’s likely selection for Australia’s Test series against New Zealand be confirmed. Ben McDermott ($118,300) has retained BAT-WKP status in SuperCoach BBL, while Caleb Jewell ($67,300) has kept in previous seasons in Tasmanian Premier Cricket. Jake Doran is another option who has been behind the stumps for Jewell’s club team North Hobart. The Australia-New Zealand series is on from December 12-January 7 which could rule Wade out until Round 7.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman made a strong impression in his first BBL campaign.

5. Will Mujeeb Ur Rahman or Zahir Khan start for Brisbane Heat?

Mujeeb ($158,200) had the best economy rate (6.04) of any player with more than 10 wickets last season and will be joined at the Gabba by fellow Afghani spinner Zahir Khan. It’s crucial SuperCoaches know whether Zahir or Mujeeb will be first-choice or how they will juggle the spinning role at the Heat. With Tom Banton ($125,000) signed for the early rounds before AB De Villiers ($225,000) joins, it’s highly unlikely Mujeeb and Khan will play in the same team. The last thing you want is to pay $169,000 for Khan and have Mujeeb play both Round 1 games.

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Originally published as Five key questions which will shape SuperCoach BBL teams