KFC SuperCoach BBL: Australian cricket legend Mike Hussey’s last-minute tips for BBL12 season

Australian cricket legend Mike Hussey has the inside word on a little-known paceman who could help you win $25,000 in KFC SuperCoach BBL. See his last-minute tips for your team.

The first ball of the new BBL season is just six days away - and that means a new season of KFC SuperCoach competition and banter.

And Mike Hussey – former Aussie Test star, and KFC SuperCoach megafan – just wants it to start already.

Hussey has stepped into the huge shoes of the legendary Shane Warne as the face of KFC SuperCoach BBL. And he takes the role so seriously he has changed his nickname from Mr Cricket to Mr SuperCoach.

“I’m really excited,” he said on Tuesday ahead of the gala KFC SuperCoach BBL launch at the new cricket-themed bar Tricky Wicket in Malvern.

“I’ve done all my homework and planning. I just want the season to begin.”

Hussey and thousands of cricket fans will fight it out for the $25,000 grand prize in the easy, free fantasy game in which every player selects their own team of seven batters, seven bowlers and two wicketkeepers – and scores points based on their real BBL performances.

Hussey said some injuries and team changes had forced some late tinkering with his squad but he’s trying to avoid any late panic moves.

“I’ve lost Glenn Maxwell to injury and David Willey’s decided not to play, so I’ve had to do a bit more homework but I’m reasonably happy with my team,” he said.

“I definitely had a plan to get Mitch Marsh in and that’s not going to happen now either, so it’s going to make it more interesting and I actually think it will be good, rather than everyone having those guys in their teams it means we’re going to see a lot of different teams in the competition.”

Mike Hussey at the launch of KFC SuperCoach BBL at Tricky Wicket in Malvern. Picture: David Geraghty

And Hussey revealed a bolter that he saw up close in his role helping to coach England’s all-conquering T20 World Cup team.

“I don’t know if I want to tell you, but in my team at the moment I’ve got Luke Wood from the Melbourne Stars. I watched him pretty closely in the T20 World Cup, he didn’t play any games but he was around the squad and training and he can swing the new ball and can smack a few out of the park so he might be a little quiet one to sneak into your team.”

Hussey said studying the fixture is key to picking a winning team, with some teams playing twice in a round and others having a bye.

Some of his biggest rivals will be in the Fox Cricket commentary box – Isa Guha has selected a squad packed with Stars, Strikers and Thunder players to get off to a flyer with all three teams playing twice in round 1.

“We watch all the games, get down the ground and get a few little whispers about who’s struggling with injury and who’s going well, but it’s really about the banter, that’s what I really enjoy.

“I love it and there’s a great rivalry. I’m commentating on the game, but secretly I’m cheering for my players as well.”

Hussey is a gun cricketer and KFC SuperCoach player. But watch any BBL games and you’ll see one thing he’s not so great at is keeping his passion for KFC SuperCoach secret.

Play now at supercoach.com.au.

Brad Hodge joins Robert Craddock, Mike Hussey, Damien Fleming and Sarah Jones at the SuperCoach BBL 2022 launch at Tricky Wicket in Malvern. Picture: David Geraghty

Mike Hussey tries out the virtual cricket nets at Tricky Wicket in Malvern. Picture: David Geraghty

Mr Cricket becomes Mr SuperCoach

Forget Mr Cricket.

This summer, Mike Hussey is Mr SuperCoach.

The Australian cricket legend has signed on as the official ambassador for KFC SuperCoach BBL for BBL12.

Hussey said taking on the role previously filled by Shane Warne was an honour.

“It will be nice to carry on the memory of the great Shane Warne. He is the king of SuperCoach, so I am quite honoured to take on the mantle,” he said.

Hussey boasts strong KFC SuperCoach credentials after finishing as high as 13th overall in KFC SuperCoach AFL.

He will be one of News Corp’s expert coaches this summer and those who sign on to KFC SuperCoach BBL will be able to take on Hussey’s team – the Baggy Greens.

“It’s a lot of fun and you’ve got your own team and you can manage it however you like,” he said.

Mike Hussey has been named the new KFC SuperCoach BBL Ambassador. Picture: Corey Wright.

Hussey said he loved the banter generated by KFC SuperCoach, in particular with his fellow Fox Cricket commentators.

“Quite a few of the commentators have got teams and there’s a great rivalry between a lot of us,” he said.

“Isa Guha, she’s quite competitive as well, then of course there was Warnie. Any time there’s a player that you’ve got that your mates or colleagues don’t who does well, there’s plenty of banter.

“That’s one of the great things about KFC SuperCoach. You’re playing with your mates, you’re competing with them and you always like to get the upper hand.”

Hussey’s first player picked for BBL12 was Australian and Melbourne Stars all-rounder Marcus Stoinis, who he said shaped as an “absolute steal” at only $83k and listed as BAT-BWL.

“Because he had an average season last year his price is so cheap,” he said.

“I’m hoping the Stars move him back up to the top of the order where he can open the batting and score big runs. Then it’s great to see him back bowling as well.”

Hussey will reveal more of his must-have players and his strategy for Round 1 in coming weeks in exclusive KFC SuperCoach columns.

He will also be an expert coach players can add to their own leagues, along with our full stable of experts.

Marcus Stoinis was Mike Hussey’s first-picked player.

Hussey said a league of ex-cricketers featuring Damien Fleming, Callum Ferguson and Trent Copeland was extremely competitive.

“I have got a great family league which we have plenty of banter in as well. But the league with the ex-players is actually really good. Damien Fleming is a very good player, Trent Copeland a very strong player as well,” he said.

Hussey said his new Mr SuperCoach persona would take some getting used to after trying on his superhero costume for the first time recently.

“Honestly, it feels a little bit weird. I’m certainly not a superhero,” he said.

“There’s a lot of work that has gone into this, so it’s quite nice.”

KFC SuperCoach is open to everyone – from cricket diehards to number crunchers and experts to beginners.

“You can play against your mates, friends and family and it’s a lot of fun,” Hussey said.

“There’s some pretty good prizes up for grabs – $25,000 if you take out the whole competition, plus there’s weekly prizes as well.”

Think you have Mike Hussey and his Baggy Greens covered? Prove it by heading to supercoach.com.au today and entering your team.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach BBL: Australian cricket legend Mike Hussey’s last-minute tips for BBL12 season