KFC SuperCoach Plus: The Phantom answers the burning questions ahead of Round 3

Should weather forecast affect your trades? Which Strikers can we trust? Who are the must-haves? The Phantom answers the big Round 3 KFC SuperCoach questions.

We’re only two rounds into the KFC SuperCoach BBL summer but the Round 3 trade period looms as one of the most crucial of the tournament.

With no double-games in the following two rounds, is it best to load up on Strikers?

Or should we just back the in-form guns?

There are plenty of big KFC SuperCoach questions that need to be answered.

And The Phantom is here to help.

Watch Australia v India Test Series Live & Ad-Break Free During Play with the Fox Cricket commentary team. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

It was a frustrating night for KFC SuperCoaches on Wednesday. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images)

TRADE GUIDE: ALL THE TOP ROUND 3 TARGETS

What is the weather going to do?

Would I be in this job if I could predict that? Not even the experts can. Wait, did I say that out loud?

In all seriousness though, after rain washed out the Stars-Scorchers fixture – and the KFC SuperCoach scores of popular players Glenn Maxwell and Marcus Stoinis – there is reason to be concerned for the next four matches.

A ‘shower or two’ with a 50 per cent chance of rain is the forecast in Hobart over the weekend and in the nation’s capital on Tuesday. Yes, that’s Canberra.

But the real concern is the 2-10mm of rain forecast for Brisbane on Wednesday when the Strikers will take on the Heat at the Gabba in their second appearance of the round.

Don’t throw your plans out the window because of the outlook, but if you were in two minds of overloading your side with Strikers – say six – then maybe don’t.

What you can definitely do, however, is monitor the weather on Saturday morning and leave your first lot of trades to right before the Hurricanes-Renegades clash at 11.10am (AEDT).

Will Jacks has two second-ball ducks in BBL10. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

Did it rain where Phil Salt was playing in Round 2?

Sorry, Phil.

The sun was out for Adelaide’s first two games of BBL10, but, unfortunately, so was the Englishman – quickly, too.

Salt faced a total of 11 balls for 14 runs, finishing with just 14 KFC SuperCoach points and losing $17k off his price tag.

Will Jacks blasted a quick-fire 34 for the Hurricanes in game two but was out for a second-ball either side of that inning. More worryingly, he’s only bowled one over so far after taking 13 wickets in the Vitality Blast.

Another concern is Salt’s teammate Danny Briggs going wicketless in his opening two games, reinforcing the thought that it takes some international T20 stars a while to get going in the BBL.

Despite their early form, I wouldn’t be trading out a Striker in a double-game round but Jacks, while he’s still priced at more than $120k, could be one to make way.

Alex Carey v Hobart

Which Strikers are in form?

Although he may not make 62 with the bat again this summer – or score 175 KFC SuperCoach points in a round – Daniel Worrall’s price ($120k BWL) will continue to rise and he bowled very well – 1/21 off four overs – in the second match of Round 2.

Veteran Peter Siddle’s ($179K BWL) 5/16 on Tuesday has dispelled any concern he’s overpriced in KFC SuperCoach BBL.

And then, of course, there’s Alex Carey ($177 WKP-BWL). The Adelaide star returned from Aussie duties to lead his side to victory with 55 of 40 balls in a 117-run stand with Jake Weatherald (68 off 48).

Weatherald ($131k BAT) is close behind Carey as a must-have in Round 3.

Does this mean our wicketkeeper issue been solved?

Yes. Yes, it does.

Josh Philippe v Renegades

Wait - by Carey or Josh Philippe?

A very good question. Philippe, the Sydney Sixers young gun, blasted a career-best 95 to finish with 140 KFC SuperCoach points against the Renegades. But with a double-game, it has to be Carey if you’re choosing this round.

Work in Philippe to your longer-term trade plan now, though, given the Sixers’ Round 6 double.

But I’m not against ignoring an extra Striker, and backing in Philippe and taking advantage of a sub $160k price-tag, which won’t be around for long.

Is that what you’re doing, Phantom?

It’s something I’m looking closely at. It’s hard not to, given the way Philippe hit the ball on Sunday.

And?

Carey and Worrall in to go with Salt, Weatherald and Khan already in the line-up.

Daniel Worrall v Hobart (Game 1)

Jack Wildermuth v Thunder

Is Jack Wildermuth another to consider, despite the fixture, then?

He sure is. After taking four wickets and making an unbeaten 111 in the Australia A tour match against India, the promising all-rounder came storming into the BBL blasting four sixes in a quick-fire 31 before taking 3/23 for the ball. And the best part, the 27-year-old is still available for less than $100k. With a Round 3 breakeven of -91, however, that figure is about to sky-rocket.

If I didn’t start with him, I’d be bringing him in – along with two Strikers – this round.

Or Daniel Sams?

Yes, he’s not getting much cheaper anytime soon, following his match-winning 153-point performance in Round 3, but if you’re splashing $217k on Sams, it’s unlikely you’ve got much left to bring in two big-name Strikers. And, personally, that’s what you should be doing.

Daniel Sams v Brisbane

What’s up with Aaron Finch?

Not his price that’s for sure. But that’s a good thing for KFC SuperCoaches. After the Australian one-day skipper’s 22 points in his first appearance brought about a breakeven of 102, it’s likely Finch’s price will drop again.

So, we should be considering him?

Not yet after Renegades coach Michael Klinger on Tuesday confirmed the star opener will be rested in Round 3.

Keep him in your plans, along with teammates Kane Richardson and Shaun Marsh, given the Renegades’ Round 6 double.

Along with Philippe, it’s also worth tracking the prices of Sixers Ben Dwarshius, Steve O’Keefe and James Vince.

And a bonus one because I’m excited again...

Any other big arrivals this week?

I’ve got two words, for you. DAWID MALAN.

The No. 1 T20 batter in the world could be available for the Hurricanes’ clash with the Renegades on Saturday. You’ll want him in sooner rather than later.

Stars spinner, Zahir Khan, who took eight wickets in an impressive finish to BBL09, will available for the Boxing Day fixture against the Sixers.

Finch’s Renegades teammates Mohammad Nabi and Noor Ahmad are also set to come in for Round 3.

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach Plus: The Phantom answers the burning questions ahead of Round 3