The Phantom reveals his 2018-19 SuperCoach BBL team
Summer is almost here and it’s time for The Phantom to turn his attention to SuperCoach BBL. And it’s all about the fixture. With the all-important double-game rounds in mind, here is The Phantom’s first team for BBL 18-19.
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SuperCoach BBL is all about the fixture. With the two-month tournament split into 15 rounds, some teams will place twice — or not at all — in any given round. To begin, the Scorchers and Heat will feature twice in the opening four days before the Strikers play two matches in Round 2. With the Heat’s Round 2 bye also in mind, I’ll be setting up my team to take advantage of the extra points on offer in the first week.
BATSMEN
D’Arcy Short
(Hurricanes, $258,900 BWL)
Sure, the fixture is important but so is picking this guy. After scoring a competition-high 572 runs — at a strike rate of 149 — and clubbing seven more sixes than any other player, Short scored 231 more SuperCoach points than the second-ranked Alex Carey in BBL 07. Short, who recorded a second-ball duck, batting at three, in the first ODI against South Africa, will open for the Hurricanes — you should always focus top-order batsmen in SuperCoach — and also feature with the ball. Lock.
Chris Lynn
(Heat, $202,000)
The big-hitting Lynn has failed to fire for Australia posting scores of 15, 44 and 0 in the ODI series against South Africa. But the 28-year-old, who is likely to bat at three for the Heat, was the leading run-scorer in the recent JLT One Day Cup and boasts a T20 strike rate of 144. Lynn Gets two cracks at it in Round 1 and is another SuperCoach BBL must-have.
Jake Weatherald
(Strikers, $144,600)
After a big finish to BBL 07, which included the blistering 115 in the final against the Hurricanes, Weatherald wins a starting spot in The Phantom’s side for BBL 08. The left-handed opener, who averaged 59 in the final five games, finished as the third-highest run scorer in the tournament. And only Short sent more balls flying over the fence last season.
Brendan McCullum
(Heat, $113,100)
It doesn’t always happen but when he gets going, there isn’t many better hitters in world cricket than the former New Zealand captain. The 37-year-old, who boasts a career-high of 158, has scored 9620 runs — at a strike rate of 137 — in a 356-match T20 career. I’m betting he gets onto a few in at least one of Brisbane’s two Round 1 fixtures.
Michael Klinger
(Scorchers, $79,300)
At that price, it’s hard to ignore an old favourite. After a tough year off the field last season, Klinger is back to open the batting for the Scorchers in BBL 08. The 38-year-old, who has scored 43 or more in five of his past nine innings playing T20 cricket in England, was the third-highest run scorer back in BBL 06 and looms as a nice point-of-difference with a double-game round first up.
BENCH
Sam Heazlett (Heat, $62,500)
The 23-year-old has enjoyed an impressive start to the season, recording the fourth-most runs in the JLT Cup and posting an unbeaten 118 in Queensland’s second Shield clash against the Redbacks.
Jack Edwards (Sixers, $42,500 BAT)
His long-blonde hair is hard to forget, as is what the 18-year-old can do with the bat. A maiden first-class century against the Redbacks, in just his fifth inning, reaffirmed the belief that Edwards has a bright future ahead. Should get a chance in the top-order at the Sixers.
WICKETKEEPERS
Alex Carey (Strikers, $199,600 BAT)
After a campaign which saw Carey record three more dismissals than any other keeper and score 443 runs — ranking him second behind only Short — Weatherald’s opening partner is locked in with a double-game round looming in Round 2.
BENCH
Tim Ludeman (Renegades, $62,500 BAT)
Didn’t enjoy a successful first year at the Renegades in BBL 07 but should get first chance with the gloves and, more importantly, open the innings with the in-form Marcus Harris.
BOWLERS
Rashid Khan (Strikers, $198,800)
The Strikers’ star import is arguably the best T20 bowler in the world, taking 200 career wickets at an impressive average of 15.65. In BBL 07, Khan took the equal-most wickets and recorded the best economy rate of the tournament. Another must-have.
Ashton Agar (Scorchers, $197,900 BAT)
Providing the 25-year-old doesn’t earn a surprise call-up to the Test side, with the Scorchers two games in the opening round, Agar will start in The Phantom’s team. The economical Agar took eight wickets in BBL 07 and conceded just 5.74 runs per over — only slightly more than Khan’s 5.66 — and will feature with the bat in the Scorchers’ middle order.
Nathan Coulter-Nile (Scorchers, $125,000 BAT)
After missing BBL07 through injury, Coulter-Nile is severely underpriced, given his potential output. The right-arm quick took nine wickets in his four JLT Series Cup matches earlier this year before taking 3/18 and smacking 27 off 17 — including three sixes — in the second T20 international against Pakistan. Expect similar numbers in BBL 08.
Usman Qadir (Scorchers, $93,800 BAT)
After taking six wickets in his four JLT Cup appearances and then 3/28 playing for the PM’s XI against South Africa, Qadir, the son of Pakistan great Abdul Qadir, has his sights set on playing for Australia. But, first, he has BBL batsmen to trouble.
Moises Henriques (Sixers, $88,000 BAT)
Any player who will feature early in the both innings has to be considered in SuperCoach BBL and the all-rounder, who has played four Tests for Ausralia, is a prime example. Especially when you’re available for less than $90k.
BENCH
James Pattinson (Heat, $62,500)
Speaking of bargains, Pattinson, who took 3/24 in his first-class return against the Redbacks, could be the biggest of them all. Has his sights set on a Test recall but, if his body holds up, will lead Brisbane’s attack in BBL 08 in the meantime. With a double-game round first up, Pattinson could replace Henriques in the starting side.
Cameron Green (Scorchers, $42,000)
The 19-year-old quick took nine wickets in Western Australia’s Shield victory over Tasmania but can we win a spot in the Scorcher’s bowling line-up? The fact he can bat might help.