KFC SuperCoach BBL champion Tom Aitken reveals his hints for BBL10

Last summer’s KFC SuperCoach BBL champion Tom Aitken is confident he’s identified a huge bargain ahead of BBL10 as he plots his path to back-to-back titles.

Dan Christian has crossed from Melbourne Renegades to Sydney Sixers.

Never one to overthink his KFC SuperCoach plans, reigning SuperCoach BBL winner Tom Aitken hasn’t yet delved into the formula which will shape his BBL10 side.

The schoolteacher from Queensland finished ahead of more than 70,000 other KFC SuperCoaches to take out last summer’s grand prize of $25,000.

The stakes are even higher this year for KFC SuperCoach teams with a host of prizes up for grabs from KFC — not that Aitken is feeling the pressure.

“I see these people who spend hours and hours and hours on it,” he said.

“I like to do a bit of reading, but there’s always injuries and stuff that changes (your plans).

“I don’t lock into plans and try to be a bit more flexible.

“Especially what is going to happen this season, it might be an advantage rather than being too preconceived in your ideas.”

After a year of unprecedented curveballs, Aitken hopes his relaxed approach helps his team — TheKDawg — challenge for back-to-back glory.

Tom Aitken isn’t sure he can go without D’Arcy Short again this season.

Many of the English internationals signed on for BBL10 won’t feature until after Christmas, while members of Australia’s Test squad are unlikely to play BBL until mid-January.

With suggestions international players could be managed after a schedule which for many will include the Indian Premier League, Test, one-day and T20 duties, Aitken said he would avoid those who were only set to feature for one or two games.

“I was thinking I might want to pick players who are quite not good enough to represent Australia but are going to play and be good club contributors,” he said.

Two of the best KFC SuperCoach scorers from last season, Rashid Khan and Tom Curran, are high on Aitken’s shopping list.

Although like every coach, the 27-year-old will have to juggle when to target the pair with Khan having a Round 1 bye and Curran unavailable for the opening two-three weeks of the tournament.

His biggest change of heart has been toward D’Arcy Short, who Aitken avoided for much of BBL09 but expects to be a key pillar of his starting side.

Dan Christian led Nottinghamshire to the Vitality Blast title this year.

“Even though he wasn’t a big player for me last time he looks like one that will be a pretty key contributor this time around,” he said.

“I am a bit reluctant to pick up those internationals who are only going to do half a season or a third of a season because by the time they warm up they’ve done their stint.

“I’m more looking for Australians that have changed clubs that could perform a slightly different role.

“Someone like Dan Christian from the Sixers. I can only assume he’s been recruited to fill a bit of a role for the Sixers.”

He attributed his success last summer to nailing his vice-captaincy and captaincy selectors and said most of his homework would be put into ensuring he doubles up with the right players again.

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Originally published as KFC SuperCoach BBL champion Tom Aitken reveals his hints for BBL10