SuperCoach BBL: ‘Mr Cricket’ Mike Hussey reveals his team for BBL14

Mike Hussey has revealed his first SuperCoach picks for BBL14 – including names that might surprise. The fantasy cricket expert reveals his line-up for the first time.

There’s a lot to like about Matt Short when it comes to SuperCoach BBL.

He scores big, takes wickets and is dynamic in the field – all the ingredients SuperCoaches are looking for.

But, his price tag this summer is a serious problem.

I was thrown when I registered my team, the Baggy Greens, then went to choose Short and saw he cost more than $300,000.

Just as I thought I might go in without him, I realised the Strikers have a round 2 double as well.

The issue I have found is that if I don’t start with Short, I am going to be struggling to find more than $300k to ensure he’s in my team for round 2.

ANALYSIS: CAN YOU AFFORD SHORT AND MAXWELL IN SUPERCOACH?

I have been burned before by not starting him and although it means making sacrifices at the bottom end of my SuperCoach team for BBL14, I’m leaning towards paying top dollar and locking the Strikers skipper in.

Short has taken up a lot of my planning time, but I have found a few minutes to map out the fixture and try to plan ahead.

As we know, that’s a crucial factor in SuperCoach BBL.

That’s why I am starting Josh Inglis, Aaron Hardie, Ashton Turner, Harry Nielsen and Jordan Buckingham as well.

The Strikers and Scorchers each play twice in round 2, while the Sixers and Heat have the double in round 3 during a packed early schedule.

He’s expensive — but Mike Hussey is convinced Matt Short is a must-have in SuperCoach BBL.

Starting Sean Abbott and Ben Dwarshuis, who represent great value, will mean I can devote trades to bringing in Heat players when round 3 rolls around.

Dwarshuis is a player I consider picking every year, then inevitably end up leaving out.

But he’s long been a great point-of-difference type in SuperCoach BBL and he’s taken at least 15 wickets in each of the past six editions of the BBL.

That’s some record.

The cheapies are hard to nail down this far out from the first ball of BBL14 on December 15, but two that stand out are Turner and Melbourne Stars quick Mark Steketee.

I was lucky enough to have Steketee in my team a few summers ago when he averaged more than 60 and peaked at a price in excess of $200k.

It’s been a while since he’s been at his best, but with the right role he could be a great early-season cash cow considering the Stars have a round 1 double.

I’ve mentioned Short is giving me a few headaches.

Mike Hussey doesn’t want to go with Ben Dwarshuis again. Picture: Brett Hemmings/Getty Images

The other player I’m not completely convinced on starting, but think I’ll have to, is Marcus Stoinis.

He’s only $84k, the Stars play twice in round 1, and the early signs are that he will be one of the most-popular starting picks.

Now, we just need the Stars to use him in his best role at the top of the order.

I witnessed first hand how damaging he can be as an opener in my role as batting coach with Chennai Super Kings this year.

STOINIS WITH AN UNSTOPPABLE 124* (63) OVERNIGHT 🚨
The Aussie produced a match winning ton for Lucknow as they downed Chennai by 6 wickets! 🔥 #IPL#LSG#CSKpic.twitter.com/CrLxU7XXnv

— Cricket Today (@CricketTodayAU) April 24, 2024

It has been a while since Melbourne Stars got the best of Marcus Stoinis. Picture: Daniel Pockett/Getty Images

Lucknow Super Giants threw Stoinis in as an opener and he hit 13 boundaries and six sixes on his way to 124 not out from 63 balls.

While we’re at it, could he please bowl a bit more in the BBL, too?

In the past five BBLs, Stoinis has only bowled 30 overs.

I am loving the addition of the new Flex position to SuperCoach BBL, but I’m still getting my head around the best strategy for it.

I might take a risk on a few more batters this season knowing the worst score from my team won’t count due to the new best-11-of-12 scoring system.

That’s a big change in SuperCoach BBL but one that makes batters more appealing than ever before.

It promises to be another great summer of SuperCoach.

Sign up today at supercoach.com.au to take on my team and those chosen by News Corp’s line-up of experts.

MIKE HUSSEY’S SUPERCOACH BBL TEAM

Mike Hussey’s first SuperCoach BBL team of BBL14.

Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: ‘Mr Cricket’ Mike Hussey reveals his team for BBL14