KFC SuperCoach BBL: The Phantom’s team for BBL 13

The KFC SuperCoach BBL season kicks off with the biggest round in competition history – and there are plenty of points up for grabs. Don’t try and be too cute, writes The Phantom.

The most super round in the history of KFC SuperCoach is upon us.

This summer’s KFC SuperCoach BBL season kicks off with a seven-game frenzy, with the Brisbane Heat featuring a competition-first three times.

Of course, you will know this if you’ve been following all the insightful content from Tim Michell and co.

But forget Michell, this is about me.

I’m all in on the super round – we’ll work on what happens after that later.

Well, sort of. You can’t forget about the Strikers’ solo round 2 double completely.

But getting off to a good start has probably never been more important in KFC SuperCoach BBL.

Colin Munro should bat three times in the opening round. Picture: Chris Hyde/Getty Images

New Zealand master blaster and T20 veteran Colin Munro has three chances to go big in the opening round – it’s hard to pass up those odds.

His Heat teammate, Englishman Sam Billings, will take the gloves with Jimmy Pierson on Prime Minister’s XI duty, adding to his appeal as a middle-order hitter.

Matt Kuhnemann was among the wickets in the recent practice match and he’s likely to bowl 12 overs in the triple-game round.

He appears good buying at a tick over $100k, as does English import Paul Walter.

I told myself there will be no more picking Vitality Blast stars on their first trips to the Big Bash but this guy is a towering left-arm quick and, by all reports, can hit a long ball.

The unavailability of a number of Heat players for the first few games should see him given plenty of opportunity to execute with bat or ball at least once.

Aaron Hardie is almost a must-have. Picture: Paul Kane/Getty Images

We can’t forget about the standard double-game players over the first weekend either.

Scorchers Aaron Hardie and Jason Behrendorff, Stars Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis, returning Sixers gun Tom Curran and Renegade Joe Clarke, who has crossed the great Melbourne divide, are others I’m banking on for a big opening round.

Then there’s Matt Short, the only single-game player in my team for the first week.

And, after last year, and given Adelaide’s double in the second round, I can’t not pick the (unofficial) South Australian.

You can overthink this game – hey, I’ve done it in almost every season.

But with so many points up for grabs in the super round, there’s no time to be cute.

Cute, in this game, is not what we aim for.

Bench – and first XI – could still yet change, depending on the final teams for the opening round. Stay tuned for an update.

The Phantom's KFC SuperCoach BBL team for the summer

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach BBL: The Phantom’s team for BBL 13