BBL SuperCoach gospel: Everything you need to know for Round 2

ROUND 1 of the BBL is the books so check in with Trent Copeland to see what you need to dominate the competition in Round 2.

Ryan Gibson of the Thunder (left) is seen in action during the Big Bash League (BBL) T20 match between the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder at Etihad Stadium in Melbourne, Thursday, Dec. 22, 2016. (AAP Image/Julian Smith) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

How good is it to have the BBL back on our TV screens every night!

Some great contests through the completion of Round one, and with that came some great performances that we as SuperCoaches need to be all over. We all skippered Ben Dunk, right??

In my weekly wrap and following round preview I will be flagging the most crucial players, price rises, big moments, schedule analysis nuances and obvious trades among other things that you all need to know to beat your mates and claim overall SuperCoach glory.

Right, let’s get to it.

Price rises incoming

Those of you that aren’t SuperCoach regulars probably wont know that all players are subject to price rises/falls based on performance (normally) on a three-game rolling average. In SuperCoach BBL it happens at the completion of the first round.

For example, if Usman Khawaja ($325,000) as the most expensive player in the game played three matches and got three ducks — he wouldn’t, but for the sake of the story we’ll go with it — then following that third game his price would have come down SIGNIFICANTLY, making him much more affordable for those that don’t own him but killing the overall squad value if you did own him.

CASH: Smith’s stock soars

STILL GOT IT: Johnson stars for Perth

Think of it like the stockmarket as timing when you buy and sell players is the key to being able to afford the big guns when you need them most.

With Sixers, Strikers and Thunder players all having played twice in the opening round, that means all of their players will rise or fall in price after their next match.

The must have cheapies emerge.

Ryan Gibson (SYDT | BAT) $42,000 — 114 points — Gibson is a star, and boy did he take his chance atop the order for the Thunder in the double game week to kick off the season despite playing in a losing team for both fixtures. Scoring 70 points, and 44 points to total a whopping 114 points in the round. The batting has been great but he is a gun fielder and is in the ‘hot spots’ for catches in every game too.

Jake Weatherald (ADL | BAT) $42,000 — 116 points — In my ‘Under the Radar’ column earlier in the BBL06 pre-season I flagged Weatherald as a dynamic opening batsman and given the opportunity he would show Australia just how good he is. Well, he put on a show with Ben Dunk at the top of the order against the Heat, and after the DGR against the Scorchers last night — Weatherald is on the shopping list AFTER the Strikers have their bye in round two.

D'Arcy Short scored a brilliant 61.

D’Arcy Short (HOB | ALR) $42,000 — 143 points — Short opened the batting and put on a serious display of ball-striking at the SCG in the Hurricanes win over the Sixers, clubbing 61 runs off just 29 balls for a strike rate of 210.34! Not only that but Short completed one over of his left-arm wrist spin and took a wicket. Not a bad debut!

Other players in the $62,500 — $80,000 price bracket to also consider include; Ben Dunk, Marcus Harris (both have bye next round though), Daniel Hughes (beware hammy injury), and Mark Steketee.

We can all use a little bit of luck.

Two of the outstanding innings of the first round of BBL06 had one thing in common — a dropped catch!

Moises Henriques’ match winning 76* (41 balls) could well have been different had Clint McKay have held on to a catch at short fine-leg off the glove of Henriques’ first, yes first ball for zero!

Ben Dunk’s Strikers’ debut innings of 85 (43 balls) was simply outstanding, hitting eight 4’s and five six’s, but he too had a slice of luck trying to take down Samuel Badree skying one that Mark Steketee didn’t lay a digit on before he was on 10. Ouch.

Ultimately, SuperCoach is walking on egg shells, riding your luck and boy it’s hard to watch when you have one of your bowlers bowling to one of your batsmen!

Like many things in life, you get what you pay for.

Brendon McCullum (83 points), Aaron Finch (140 points), Dwayne Bravo (98 points), Andre Russell (140 points), Moises Henriques (126 points — albeit not bowling, and including a duck), all had great games and despite the hefty price tags are worth every penny. Finch and Bravo will be essential purchases for round three when the Renegades have the DGR. Spend big to score big as they say!

Scoring system

One caveat in the scoring system is the big bonuses for bowlers when taking wickets, and particularly for economy rates compared to the bonuses available to batsman.

Notably, bowlers accrue 25 points per wicket (yep, even the half volley caught on the fence!) and other big bonuses for three wickets or more, economy rates and dot balls.

Conversely, batsmen get one point per run, and the only bonuses available are two points per six, one point per four, and one point for every run they are above balls faced i.e. five points bonus for 10 runs off five balls.

What this all adds up me, is the risk involved with picking a pure batsman as your captain is SO high.

My advice will be to pick all-rounders, or bowlers who play a role with the bat like Pat Cummins or Ben Cutting from here on out as the ‘base’ stats are much higher.

If you are going to take the plunge and captain a batsman, make sure they are an opener on the most part, as we saw a few times this round the number four batsman not even getting a hit!

Andre Russell is always a good bet for the captaincy.

Captaincy analysis.

Without any form or known roles on the board coming into the first round of matches, captaincy was a bit of a stab in the dark for most. But, let’s have a look at how ‘Copes’ Captains’ fared.

Andre Russell — 140 points

Kieron Pollard — 103 points

Moises Henriques — 126 points

Jason Roy — 139 points

Ben Dunk — 155 points

Pat Cummins — 168 points

Ah, you’re welcome!

Schedule/Trades

BYES: Strikers, Renegades

DGR: None

Time to look ahead with your three trades this round, with no DGR to capitalise on I think preparing for the Scorchers and Renegades DGR next round is the way to go. Use your bench to hold onto any of these players you own like Finch, Tremain, Bravo etc, and look to bring in guys like Michael Klinger, AJ Tye, Mitchell Johnson, David Willey etc this week.

Also, if you have luxury trades and can still field a strong side, trade OUT underperforming players from the Thunder, Strikers or Sixers before they lose more value after their next match. Capitalising on players who are seemingly underpriced compared to their role in round one.

* Round 2 — Copes’ Captains

This week, with no DGR it’s time to pick your best all-rounder or go with your gut when it comes to captaincy. My top picks are;

Andre Russell (SYDT | ALR) — Playing against a Heat bowling line-up who gave up almost 200 runs at Adelaide Oval, I think he will produce some runs on top of his already stellar bowling efforts.

PUNTED: Stars sack Gulbis

SMASH: Hurricanes destroy Sixers

Glenn Maxwell (MELS | ALR) — Will be batting at 3, and with the Hurricanes having Short, Sangakkara etc at the top of the order I think we may see him bowl his offies in the powerplay. A great option that not many will own given the Stars’ bye in round one.

Dan Christian (HOB | ALR) — Christian has been one of the best all-rounders in BBL history. Consistently scoring runs at a good clip, and chipping in with important wickets. Playing at home, I think the ‘Canes star all-rounder may have a biggie!

Other options include; Mitchell Marsh, Pat Cumins, Moises Henriques.

Injuries/Chopping block.

Daniel Hughes missed the Sixers’ second game of round one with a Hamstring injury, and is therefore off the cheapie list until we hear any confirmation of his return.

James Pattinson unfortunately suffered an injury setback prior to the renegades first match and SuperCoaches will have to wait with bated breath before we see the speedster in action. As soon as he’s ready — I would bring him in he’s that good!

And finally, the chopping block … Players who didn’t bat where we thought they would, didn’t bowl as all-rounders, have a bye this round or just purely underperformed.

Kurtis Patterson — Two low scores and dropping in price,

Travis Head — Not bowling at all, big price drops ahead,

Ben Laughlin — Dropped for Strikers’ second match,

Haddin did not bat in the Sixers opening fixture.

Brad Haddin — Didn’t get a bat in game one, and missed out in game two plus the Sixers are finished their DGR,

Joe Burns — Batting at five or six he can’t be relied upon to score big in each game,

Gurinder Sandhu — The big G unfortunately lost his place in the side for the Thunder’s game two.

Stuart Broad — Unlucky with the ball, but a big price tag with no batting upside when he’s at number 10.

Well, that’s it from me for round one and in preparation for Round 2.

Hopefully you all scored well and have luxury trades to spend for Christmas!

Have a wonderful day with friends and family.

Originally published as BBL SuperCoach gospel: Everything you need to know for Round 2