SuperCoach BBL 2019: 10 best batting picks
Even the world’s best batsmen can be hit-and-miss in Twenty20 cricket. That’s why those who nail their batting selections in SuperCoach BBL can set themselves apart from the pack. Here are 10 of the best options for BBL09.
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No position in SuperCoach BBL is as volatile as the batting stocks.
Sydney Thunder veteran Callum Ferguson was the top-ranked player listed solely as a BAT last season at 24th overall.
The 34-year-old finished the campaign with an average of 46.8, but his rollercoaster scoring highlighted how fickle Twenty20 cricket can be for batsmen.
Ferguson amassed two monster SuperCoach centuries (122 in Round 4 and 197 in Round 10), yet twice scored 0 and posted 35 or less in seven other games.
Picking batsmen for your SuperCoach BBL team is the fantasy equivalent of playing darts blindfolded.
However, there are steps you can take to give yourself the best chance of avoiding low scores from your five batsmen.
Firstly, choose players who bat in the top order. There are few things more frustrating than relying on a No. 5 batsman, only for their team to chase a low total without losing many wickets.
Last season, players listed at No. 5 didn’t bat in more than 10 per cent of BBL innings.
If you select openers or No. 3 batsmen, you give yourself the best chance of having a player bat for most of their side’s allotted 20 overs.
It is also wise to avoid batsmen playing at grounds notorious for low scores.
In 14 innings at Marvel Stadium in BBL08, only two teams eclipsed 150 runs — Melbourne Renegades (7-184) and Sydney Sixers (3-180) in their semi-final.
The average score at Docklands was 134 and a wicket fell for every 20 runs scored.
In contrast, no team scored less than 145 in Hobart and there was only one total less than 150 at Adelaide Oval.
Finally, opt for players in form.
Ferguson scored 18 and 52 in consecutive games before his epic 113 not out from 53 balls against Perth Scorchers.
Most coaches will load their batting positions with all-rounders, a smart move when you consider top-order batsmen such as D’Arcy Short and Marcus Stoinis fall into this category.
Picking a batsman is the ultimate risk-reward proposition and one which could determine your success this summer.
1. Aaron Finch (Melbourne Renegades) 2018 SCBBL average: 41.4 $167,000
Australia’s Twenty20 and ODI captain will be on international duties later in the tournament, but you can take advantage of his availability in your initial side. Finch was below his best in eight games last summer yet still averaged 27.5 with a strike rate of 118.
VERDICT: Finch’s starting price isn’t ideal, but you can’t expect a player of his quality to come cheap. Have him in your plans, but it will be hard to squeeze Finch in with three teams boasting Round 1 doubles.
2. Shaun Marsh (Melbourne Renegades) 2018 SCBBL average: 51.3 $147,700
The revolving door of Renegades openers should end in BBL09 with gun recruit Marsh expected to partner Finch at the top of the order. The left-hander has been out of favour with Australian selectors, although his recent Sheffield Shield form could bring him into the frame for a recall. He has the best average (49.5) of any batsman with more than 1000 BBL runs.
VERDICT: Take a look at how Marsh adapts to Marvel Stadium before jumping on.
3. Callum Ferguson (Sydney Thunder) 2018 SCBBL average: 46.8 $134,600
Sydney Thunder batsman Ferguson scored the most points of players classed solely as batsmen in BBL08. The experienced middle-order batsman was only averaging 33.5 before he scored 197 SuperCoach points when he made 113 not out off 53 balls against Perth.
VERDICT: He was a great cheapie last year if you started with him, but is too expensive this year.
4. Max Bryant (Brisbane Heat) 2018 SCBBL average: 45 $129,500
Bryant was the third member of Brisbane’s ‘Bash Brothers’ last season alongside Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn. He should assume more responsibility in McCullum’s absence and showed huge promise in his debut tournament with 335 runs at a strike rate of 150.2.
VERDICT: If Bryant builds on the promising form he showed last summer, he could be anything. He’ll be a popular starting pick.
5. Alex Hales (Sydney Thunder) returning $125,000
The Englishman has a career average of 29 in more than 200 T20 games. He has the quality to be one of the batsmen of BBL09 and has a double game week in Round 1. But his record in the BBL hardly inspires confidence. He’s played 15 games across stints with Melbourne Renegades, Adelaide Strikers and Hobart Hurricanes for an average of 23. That was largely boosted by his best BBL knock of 89.
VERDICT: Hales might be a point of difference selection for Round 1 after his compatriot Tom Banton was given WKP status. But it’s hard to recommend him on his past BBL campaigns.
6. Ashton Turner (Perth Scorchers) 2018 SCBBL average: 44.3 $127,400
Turner was Perth Scorchers’ leading run scorer in BBL08 despite being used at No. 4 or No. 5 for much of the season. He’s no longer available as a BAT-BWL but has been one of the BBL’s most explosive batsmen when in full flight.
VERDICT: There are too many similarly-priced options with Round 1 doubles. Factor Turner into your Round 3 plans when the Scorchers play twice.
7. Phil Salt (Adelaide Strikers) debut season $125,000
Englishman Salt will replace Colin Ingram at the top of the batting line-up for Adelaide Strikers. While it’s likely Jake Weatherald and Alex Carey will open, the 23-year-old should get plenty of opportunities to impress in his first BBL campaign. He averages 26.5 from 50 career T20 games.
VERDICT: An appealing pick based on three key factors — price, potential cash generation and his role. He should slot in at No. 3 and be a prominent player for the Strikers.
8. Jake Weatherald (Adelaide Strikers) 2018 SCBBL average: 37.8 $108,900
Only teammate Alex Carey and Hobart slugger D’Arcy Short made more runs than Strikers opener Jake Weatherald two summers ago. However, the powerful left-hander’s average dropped from 31.9 to 23.4 in 2018-19. He looms as a bargain pick if he recaptures top form.
VERDICT: This could be the BBL where Weatherald announces himself and he’s cheap enough should you want to plan two rounds ahead by starting a Striker on your batting bench.
9. James Vince (Sydney Sixers) 2018 SCBBL average: 48.5 $139,500
English top-order batsman Vince is an experienced T20 campaigner with an average of 30.4 from 189 matches. He made a strong impression in eight matches for Sydney Sixers last season, scoring 269 runs with a strike rate of 136 to finish with one of the best SuperCoach averages of any batsman.
VERDICT: Vince has been one of the few English batsmen to excel in the BBL. A Round 1 double game week only serves to increase his value.
10. Nic Maddinson (Melbourne Stars) 2018 SCBBL average: 21.3 $130,800
Maddinson ranked 11th for runs scored two summers ago before his switch to Melbourne Stars. His first campaign in green yielded only 115 runs with a strike rate below 100, however he’s been priced to reflect his undoubted scoring potential. He would have been hard to resist if we was closer to $100,000 considering his sterling recent form for Victoria.
VERDICT: Too expensive for a player who doesn’t have a double game week until Round 5 despite his red-hot form.
MORE SUPERCOACH BBL CONTENT
Star-studded squad lists / Top 10 young guns / Everything you need to know / Key dates to shape your season / Gun imports set to explode / New faces to target / How players earn points