KFC SuperCoach Plus Article: The Phantom updates his player rankings and names the must-have player in each position
In this week’s SuperCoach Plus exclusive, The Phantom names the must-have KFC SuperCoach player in each position. Do you have them all?
SuperCoach BBL
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We’re three weeks in to the wonderful world of SuperCoach Plus and that means we’re less than two weeks out from the start of BBL10.
And, unlike, in the previous seven days, there has been no recent flurry of international signings with most squads close to being finalised.
It means there has been little movement in The Phantom’s KFC SuperCoach BBL power rankings.
So it’s time to look at the must-have player in every position for Round 1, taking into account form, price and the KFC SuperCoach BBL fixture
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BATSMEN
THE MUST-HAVE PLAYER
Colin Ingram $125,000 (Hurricanes)
Previous rank: 1
The big-hitting South African will fly in as cover for Dawid Malan, but he’s likely to be more than that for KFC SuperCoach BBL teams, given the Canes’ Round 2 double.
Ingram returns to the BBL after 25 appearances for the Strikers in BBL07 and BBL08. He may have taken a little while to get going, but the 35-year-old’s numbers across two seasons in Australia were impressive, making 610 runs at an average of 30.5 with a strike rate of 138.95.
Ingram made an impressive 63 not out in the Pakistan Super League earlier this year, but he’s struggled a little since his first BBL appearance, failing to win another IPL contract after an underwhelming campaign in 2019.
But given his experience, power-hitting in the top-order and ability to bowl - in a team, which, at this stage, doesn’t have many spin options - Ingram presents undeniable value with a double-game in Round 2.
T20 STATS - BATTING
Matches: 265
Runs: 6658
Average: 30.12
Strike rate: 140.07
HS: 127
100s: 4
BOWLING
Wickets: 38
Average: 32.81
Econ: 7.88
Best: 4/32
RANKINGS 2-5
2. Usman Khawaja $115,300 (Thunder) New
No Test selection. A big Shield ton in the last round. And teammate Alex Ross’ declaration he’s ready for another big tournament. Khawaja just had to come in.
3. Aaron Finch $184,800 (Renegades) Previous rank: 2
Expensive, but given the fixture change, he’s likely to be available all tournament – and with no bye. So he’ll be near the top for total points.
4. Max Bryant $67,800 (Heat) Previous rank: 3
A powerful opening-batsman at that price is just too hard to ignore - even as a money-making option the bench.
5. Colin Munro $160,000 (Scorchers) Previous rank: 4
Three T20 international centuries, among 1724 runs for New Zealand. And he can bowl. Hello.
6th man: Joe Clarke (Scorchers)/Alex Hales (Thunder)
Smoky: Beau Webster (Renegades)
You left him out!?: Dawid Malan (Hurricanes). He won’t be here until Christmas! And if new signing Nicholas Pooran arrives in time for the Stars’ Round 1 double, he’ll be in.
WHAT’S CHANGED: Khawaja is the big inclusion. Some will argue it’s too late - and they are probably right.If Pooran is available, he’ll shoot straight to No. 1.
FIXTURE ANALYSIS: HOW TO PICK YOUR TEAM
BOWLERS
THE MUST-HAVE PLAYER
1. Zahir Khan (Stars) $129,900 Previous rank: 1
Afghanistan spinners are the T20 masters and Khan is no different.
In eight matches for the Heat in last year’s BBL, the 21-year-old claimed eight scalps, and conceded just 6.58 runs per over, in a strong finish to the tournament.
Khan then took another eight wickets at an average 20 in seven appearances for St Lucia in the Carribean Premier League. Again, he conceded just 6.92 runs per over.
With a great price tag and the strong chance he will bowl eight overs in Round 1, Khan, who has taken 67 T20 wickets in 55 matches across the globe, is the perfect starting option in KFC SuperCoach BBL.
T20 STATS - BOWLING
Matches: 55
Wickets: 67
Runs: 1386
Average: 20.68
Econ: 7.00
Best: 5/19
RANKINGS 2-5
2. Adam Zampa $184,100 (Stars) Previous rank: 2
With the limited-over series against India done-and-dusted, he’ll be available. In a double. Yes, please.
3. Nathan Coulter-Nile $138,600 (Stars) Previous rank: 3
After a slow start, the former Aussie quick played a crucial role in the IPL final, taking 2-29 – with 10 dot balls – for the Mumbai Indians. High on the watchlist with the opening-round double.
4. Nathan Ellis $113,000 (Hurricanes) Previous rank: 5
The Tassie quick finished the opening stage of the Sheffield Shield season with the equal-second-most wickets and, given his price and the likely eight overs in Round 2, deserves his place here.
5. Riley Meredith $184,600 (Hurricanes) Previous rank: 4
He’s struggled in the Shield so far this season but he took 13 wickets in six BBL matches last summer. And the Canes have a double in Round 2.
6th man: Adam Milne (Thunder)
Smoky: Noor Ahmad (Renegades)
You left him out!?: Rashid Khan (Strikers). He’d be No. 1 here if it wasn’t for the Round 1 bye. Sandeep Lamichhane (Hurricanes) wouldn’t be far off either, if he was arriving before January. And Rashid Khan’s new teammate in Adelaide, Danny Briggs, is one who I’m considering carrying through on my bench at $138k. But he’s a tough sell in a Round 1 power rankings.
WHAT’S CHANGED: I’mpretty settled here. Even though I like Briggs, I can’t really fit him in the five. Zampa could out-do Khan in the Round 1 double, but he has to sit behind on price.
ULTIMATE GUIDE: ALL THE SUPERCOACH BBL CHEAPIES TO CONSIDER
ALL-ROUNDERS
THE MUST-HAVE PLAYER
Marcus Stoinis $185,700 (Stars) Previous rank: 1
This one is obvious. But, as much as I’d like to elevate Will Jacks to No. 1 on the list, you just cannot start without the Aussie limited-overs star.
Glenn Maxwell has the better international record but last year’s second-ranked KFC SuperCoach scorer, Stoinis, could open the batting and bowling - twice! - for the Stars in the opening round.
In another reminder of his all-round strength, the 31-year-old blasted 65 of 46 balls batting in the middle-order for Dehli, before taking 3/26 three days later, in the closing stages of the IPL.
But you shouldn’t need any more reason to pick Stoinis in a double-game round – even at the price - given he scored 244 KFC SuperCoach points in a single game last summer.
T20 STATS - BATTING
Matches: 134
Runs: 2866
Average: 31.84
Strike rate: 130.68
HS: 147*
100s: 1
50s: 16
BOWLING
Wickets: 75
Runs: 1998
Average: 26.64
Econ: 8.84
Best: 4/15
RANKINGS 2-5
2. Will Jacks $148,000 (Hurriances) Previous rank: 3
The 21-year-old Englishman was named player of the Vitality Blast after a brilliant all-round display for Surrey and clubbed a century of just 25 balls in a practice match in Dubai last year. Only one game in Round 1 but he could explode in the Round 2 double.
INTERNATIONAL CALENDER: WHEN ALL THE BIG NAMES ARE AVAILABLE
3. Glenn Maxwell $185,000 (Stars) Previous rank: 2
Maxwell or Stoinis or can you afford to pick both? Those who do could get a big early jump, given the kindness of Australia’s international calender.
4. Darcy Short $245,200 (Hurricanes) Previous rank: 4
The top-price tag is the only thing keeping the T20 star down this low. But starting without Short may mean going without him for the Round 2 double, given your team balance. Do you really want to do that?
5. Dan Christian $105,000 (Sixers) Previous rank: 5
Despite a lacklustre BBL09, Christian is likely to play Tom Curran’s role in the Sixers side for the opening month of the tournament, making $105k a bargain for a player with his KFC SuperCoach scoring power.
6th man: Daniel Sams (Thunder)
Smoky: Jack Wildermuth (Heat)
You left him out!?: Tom Curran (Sixers). Like many of his fellow Englishman, Curran will miss the first part of tournament because of the limited-overs tour of South Africa.
WHAT’S CHANGED:After hearing many KFC SuperCoaches are overlooking Jacks - he’s only in 10 per cent of teams - I had to make a point. Does Maxwell outscore him in Round 1? Probably. But there is a chance Jacks makes up the difference in the Hurrcanes’double in Round 2 - and that makes the $37k price tag important, given you should already have Stoinis.
KEEPERS
THE MUST-HAVE PLAYER
Peter Handscomb $97,600 (Hurricanes) Previous rank: 1
Yes, you have to pick one but is there one wicketkeeper you absolutely have to pick? I’m not sure.
But, given he’s worth less than $100k, blasted 103 back in BBL04 and will feature twice in Round 2, I’ve got Handscomb at the top of the rankings.
Could he bat at No. 4 behind Short, Jacks and Ingram? Fingers crossed because that should give Handscomb, who has two Test centuries to his name, enough opportunity to be the leading keeper in KFC SuperCoach BBL after three rounds or,at least, rise quickly in price.
T20 STATS - BATTING
Matches: 84
Runs: 1318
Average: 24.40
Strike rate: 118.20
HS: 103*
100s: 1
50s: 5
RANKINGS 2-5
2. Josh Phillipe $150,800 (Sixers) Previous rank: 2
Teammate Steve O’Keefe says there will be no second-year blues for the young gun, who was the third-highest run-scorer in BBL09.
3. Josh Inglis $161,900 (Scorchers) Previous rank: 3
Averaged 57 KFC SuperCoach points in an impressive BBL09, and looks set to open-up again for the Scorchers. And, like Philippe, that’s the key.
4. Sam Harper $119,300 (Renegades) Previous rank: 4
Another hard-hitting young gun, who bats at the top of the order. Does his price make him better value than the two above? We’ll see.
5. Cam Bancroft $84,200 (Scorchers) Previous rank: 5
Made a ton against Tasmania in Round 3 of the Shield and averages 32 across 50 T20 matches. Looms as a steal at $84k, given the early absence of the Scorchers’ overseas stars.
6th man: Ben McDermott $89,700 (Hurricanes)
Smoky: Sam Whiteman (Scorchers)
You left him out!?: Alex Carey (Strikers) has signed but, maybe more importantly, where will be bat when he’s available on December 15?
WHAT’S CHANGED: For the second week running, there isn’t alot of movement with my wicketkeeper rankings. If we get more information on Bancroft’s position in Perth’s early-tournament batting order, he could be the one to rise.
EXPERT TEAMS
Shane Warne reveals his KFC SuperCoach BBL team for BBL10
KFC SuperCoach BBL: The Phantom’s team revealed
Tom Sangster reveals his KFC SuperCoach BBL team for BBL10
Tim Michell reveals his KFC SuperCoach BBL team for BBL10
Al Paton’s KFC SuperCoach BBL beginner’s guide and expert team
KFC SuperCoach BBL: Dan Batten’s team and unique picks to set your side apart
HOW TO USE SC PLUS
SuperCoach Plus is your home for all the KFC SuperCoach numbers you need - current and historic.
Use them to pick your team and then, more importantly, trade your way to glory.
You can find out every player’s record against upcoming opponents and their KFC SuperCoach average at each venue. And not just for this year!
STAT ATTACK
In 2018, Scorchers recruit Colin Munro blasted 1530 runs in 48 T20 matches across the globe - the sixth-most in a calender year on record. The bit-hitting Kiwi posted 12 50s and one century and finished with a strike rate of 151.18. Chris Gayle’s 1665 runs in 2015 is the most.
Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Plus Article: The Phantom updates his player rankings and names the must-have player in each position
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