SuperCoach BBL Round 5: How you should fund a move for Melbourne Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell

Only Kane Richardson has more points than Glenn Maxwell of those with a double in SuperCoach BBL Round 5. But at $220,000, how will you fit the Stars skipper in? TRADE GUIDE.

Keep an eye on when D’Arcy Short bottoms out in price.

Melbourne Stars are keeping SuperCoaches guessing about all-rounder Marcus Stoinis’ return to the bowling crease.

Stoinis, who boasted the No. 1 SuperCoach average last season with 96.9 points, has not bowled in BBL09 as he manages a “niggle”.

There were reports from Western Australia earlier this month the Australian all-rounder was managing a bruised heel, although the Stars have been coy about when Stoinis will be back bowling.

Marcus Stoinis walks off after being dismissed against Adelaide Strikers in Round 3.

.@WACA_Cricket Kade Harvey GM of High Performance confirms Marcus Stoinis has a bruised heel and won't bowl during Shield game against Victoria.

Team balance looks like four quicks with final selection to come.

— Jack Crawshaw (@CrawshawJack) December 5, 2019

During their loss to Adelaide Strikers, wicketkeeper Peter Handscomb told Fox Cricket: “Stoiny is still just nursing a little something. I don’t know, he’s got that many muscles on his body that I dare say he pulls something everyday.

“But he’s fine. He is obviously all good to bat, all good to field and all good to throw. He’ll be bowling soon enough, that’s for sure.”

Stoinis was asked about the injury during a rain delay in the Round 4 Stars-Hurricanes fixture and told Fox Cricket: “We played a long six games of Shield cricket before this tournament and I bowled a few overs. I think the body needs a little break at the moment and I’ll be back soon.”

Should Stoinis bowl in Round 5, when the Stars play Sydney Thunder and Melbourne Renegades, he would be the No. 1 trade target of the summer at a likely discount of more than $50,000 on his starting price.

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But if he’s limited to batting and fielding, SuperCoaches face a tough call on whether to bring Stoinis in.

He can certainly be damaging with the bat, as he showed with 81 not out against Hobart Hurricanes in Moe.

But he could easily have been out without scoring in that game as the Hurricanes squandered two early opportunities.

Whether to back Stoinis could be a call which defines your SuperCoach BBL season — choose wisely.

Coaches face a tough call on whether to still target Marcus Stoinis in Round 5.

Haris Rauf (Melbourne Stars) BWL

Wasn’t even in consideration before he was named in the Stars’ squad to face Sydney Thunder in game one of the Round 5 double. The paceman, who has the best average of any player in SuperCoach BBL, has come in at the expense of injured spinner Sandeep Lamichhane. His job security is a worry but he’s going to spike in price even if he only plays once.

Kane Richardson (Melbourne Renegades) BWL

The Marvel Stadium marvel showed his love for Docklands with 4-33 against Adelaide Strikers. Richardson snared 14 of his 24 wickets in BBL08 under the roof, which led to him having the best SuperCoach average of any Renegade. He’ll likely cost about $225,000 but you can’t go without him in Round 5.

Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars) BAT-BWL

The Melbourne Stars skipper has averaged two overs a game in the Stars’ opening three matches and his greater bowling output is a huge boost to his SuperCoach BBL stocks. His ability to score quickly (strike rate 191.04 in BBL09) is another bonus. Maxwell was the most expensive player in Round 4 at $235,700 but you should have money to burn from investing in Sydney Sixers.

Marcus Stoinis (Melbourne Stars) BAT-BWL

The Australian all-rounder hasn’t bowled yet in BBL09 due to a niggling injury. The Stars have been coy about when Stoinis could make his bowling return, although their bowling depth suggests he won’t be rushed. Captain Glenn Maxwell will have Dale Steyn, Nathan Coulter-Nile, Dan Worrall, Sandeep Lamichhane and Adam Zampa as first-choice bowlers in Round 5. Stoinis scored 123 when he made 81 not out against Hobart in Moe, but it’s risky paying more than $200,000 for an batsman. He could have been out without scoring against the Hurricanes before making them pay for an early dropped chance.

Cameron Boyce has six wickets in his last three games at Marvel Stadium.

Cameron Boyce (Melbourne Renegades) BWL

The Renegades leg-spinner has enjoyed success in his past three outings at Marvel Stadium, snaring 2-18 against Adelaide Strikers on Sunday and four wickets at Docklands during last summer’s finals (2-30 and 2-33). Boyce has also proven his ability as a lower-order pinch-hitter with 146 runs including a 51 not out in BBL08. He was available for more than $50,000 less than his starting price in Round 4 and should still be a bargain considering the likelihood he bowls eight overs during a Round 5 double.

Dan Christian (Melbourne Renegades) BAT-BWL

Only D’Arcy Short and Stoinis scored more points than Renegades all-rounder Christian last season. But batting in the middle to lower-order and not bowling regularly has caused Christian to plummet in price from $197,600. He’ll likely be about $130,000 next round after scores of 21, 40, 19 and 31. He’s come into consideration as he bowled three overs for 0-17 against the Strikers and scored 31 despite a first-ball duck.

Dan Christian bowled three overs for 17 runs against Adelaide Strikers.

Will Sutherland (Melbourne Renegades) BAT-BWL

The popular $42k rookie received a call-up in Round 4 and took 0-20 from three overs. With the Renegades battling at 0-4, the young Victorian surely gets a sustained run after an impressive outing. His role and job security are concerns, but look no further if you are desperate for a cheapie.

Peter Handscomb (Melbourne Stars) BAT-WKP

Sam Harper has been the popular keeper as coaches prepared for Round 5, but Handscomb is the pick of the glovemen with a double. Handscomb averaged 21.4 when available for the Stars last season and although he bats lower than Harper, still batted in each of the Stars’ opening three matches. Harper was last round in more than 13,000 teams, while Handscomb only featured in about 7500. You will need to make at least one change to your keepers unless you overlooked Alex Carey, who has a bye.

Keep an eye on when D’Arcy Short bottoms out in price.

ONE TO WATCH

D’Arcy Short (Hobart Hurricanes) BAT-BWL

The Hurricanes don’t have a double until Round 12 but you want to strike while Short is at his lowest price. He was available for a $31,000 discount on his starting price in Round 4 and should be cheaper in coming rounds. Pick the right time then jump on for the rest of BBL09.

Originally published as SuperCoach BBL Round 5: How you should fund a move for Melbourne Stars skipper Glenn Maxwell