KFC SuperCoach BBL: Which players to pick and what the fixture means for your team

With the KFC SuperCoach BBL fixture set, it’s time to start locking in your team. Here’s who to start and how you should navigate the opening rounds.

The fixture for BBL10 is locked in, with the venues for the first month of the tournament confirmed. And with all the dates and times now set, it’s time to start honing in your KFC SuperCoach team.

Round 1

December 10 - December 12

Double game: Melbourne Stars

Bye: Adelaide Strikers

The Stars now have the first double-game round of the year, bringing some of the biggest KFC SuperCoach names right into the frame, despite the top-price tags.

With Australia’s limited-overs series against India to conclude with a T20 on December 8, Marcus Stoinis ($185,700 BAT-BWL), Glenn Maxwell ($185,700 BAT-BWL) and Adam Zampa ($184,100 BWL) look set to be in action twice in the opening round.

And given their scoring power, Stoinis and Maxwell, in particular, going Stars-heavy to begin could ensure a fast start.

Keep cheapies Will Pucovski ($42,000 BAT), Nic Maddinson ($78,100 BAT) and recruit Billy Stanlake ($75,400 BWL) in your thoughts, too.

Bare in mind, though, Melbourne has a bye in Round 3.

Glenn Maxwell’s Melbourne Stars will play twice in Round 1 of KFC SuperCoach BBL. Picture: Michael Dodge/AAP

Speaking of the bye, Adelaide won’t feature in the opening round of KFC SuperCoach BBL. But, given the Strikers then go straight into consecutive double-game rounds, it may not be wise to ignore them all together.

Don’t spend big on SuperCoach star Rashid Khan, but benching a number cheaper Strikers will allow you more room to fit someone like Khan in ahead of Round 2.

The Hurricanes will also play twice in the second round so consider starting standout captain option D’Arcy Short ($245,200 BAT-BWL), as well as Riley Meredith ($184,600 BWL) and Peter Handscomb ($97,600 WKP-BAT).

In the revamped fixture, only Melbourne and Adelaide have a bye, meaning the big names – unless unavailable due to international commitments – are all in play for the six other sides.

ULTIMATE GUIDE: ALL THE SUPERCOACH BBL CHEAPIES TO CONSIDER

Rashid Khan, middle, will be a must-have in the Strikers’ consecutive double-game rounds. Picture: Darren England/AAP

Round 2

December 13 - December 16

Double game: Adelaide Strikers, Hobart Hurricanes

No bye.

As mentioned, it will be all about the Strikers when the first lockout ends. Plan to trade in three Adelaide players here – with Khan, Alex Carey - if he re-signs - Michael Neser and Matt Renshaw the big names to consider.

Or if you start with a few Strikers on your bench, consider a Hurricanes player here, too.

Round 3

December 19 - December 23

Double game: Adelaide Strikers

Bye: Melbourne Stars

In Round 3, the Stars will have the second – and final – bye in KFC SuperCoach BBL. With the Strikers, again, playing twice, and every other team featuring this round and for the rest of the tournament, the Stars have to go.

But there’s every chance Stoinis is the leading scorer in KFC SuperCoach after two rounds, so there could be an argument for keeping him through the bye.

The better option, however, could be to trade the star all-rounder back in at the expensive of a Strikers player, as you start to balance an Adelaide-heavy team, heading into Round 4.

The next double-game round isn’t until Round 6, with the Renegades and Sixers playing twice in the round starting January 1. That’s a lot of time to prepare, but it’s important to keep it in mind when trading here.

MORE SUPERCOACH BBL

KFC SuperCoach BBL basics: How to sign up, choose your team and battle your mates during BBL10

International cricket calendar: Who’s available and when in KFC SuperCoach BBL

Ultimate KFC SuperCoach guide to international stars coming to Australia for BBL10

BBL cheapie bible: The best bargain buys in KFC SuperCoach BBL

D'Arcy Short looms as the ideal KFC SuperCoach BBL captain in Round 2. Picture: Zak Simmonds

Round 4

December 26-December 28

All teams place once.

Round 5

December 29-December 31

All teams place once.

Round 6

January 1 – January 3

Double game: Renegades, Sixers

That’s it for now, back in reality, it’s only November!

KFC SuperCoach BBL Fixture: Double games and byes

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach BBL: Which players to pick and what the fixture means for your team