SuperCoach BBL: Battle of the Richo’s – is Kane or Jhye a better buy for your squad?

There are an array of bowling options you can take in SuperCoach BBL this year and the majority of SuperCoaches will stack their team with all-rounders to make the most of batting and bowling points on offer, but what if you’re to go ahead with a pure bowler?

Kane Richardson of the Renegades runs out Jhye Richardson of the Scorchers during their Big Bash League match last season

There are an array of bowling options you can take in SuperCoach BBL this year and the majority of SuperCoaches will stack their team with all-rounders to make the most of batting and bowling points on offer, but what if you’re to go ahead with a pure bowler?

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To really capitalise from a SuperCoach perspective, your bowlers need to deliver maximum overs available each game (four) to be eligible for the economy rate bonuses. For every ball they bowl, it increases their chance of taking a wicket.

So which two better bowlers to compare head-to-head than the Richardson’s of the Renegades and Scorchers.

Kane Richardson of the Renegades is one of the premium SuperCoach BBL players

WHY KANE?

Kane Richardson was one of the standout bowlers in SuperCoach BBL|08 and, as a result, his price tag of $214,300 will certainly be a blocker for many prospective buyers.

But let’s break down why his price is justified.

Last season, Richardson ended the Renegades’ championship-winning season with 24 wickets from 13 games which makes for almost two wickets taken per match last season. With the Renegades calling Marvel Stadium home, it’s a deck that suits the seamer to a tee.

In four of his seven matches at Docklands, Richardson took three wickets in each game and going off that, plus the Renegades’ string of home games, it makes him a certainty to select in your team.

But can you really shell out more than $200,000 on a bowler-only option? It’s a lot of coin to fork out when you consider that one bad game will see him drop significantly in price and hurt your overall score. He will, however, bowl his maximum amount of overs.

The ‘Gades will feature in the double game week in Round 5 and if you’ve kept watch of his performances in the T20 matches in the past 18 months, then you know he’s worth every cent and may have the highest ceiling of any bowler-only option in SuperCoach this season.

Jhye Richardson of the Scorchers looks certain to be an important player in SuperCoach BBL this season

WHY JHYE?

Perth’s bowling department has been ripped apart by the departures of Nathan Coulter-Nile to the Melbourne Stars, Andrew Tye to an elbow injury and Jason Behrendorff who’ll miss the entire season with a back injury. Enter Jhye Richarson.

Likely now to spearhead Perth’s bowling attack alongside Matt Kelly, Richardson will be a lock to bowl his maximum overs per game this season at the Scorchers.

Richardson’s BBL|08 tournament got off to an exciting start before he was called up to international commitments. He never returned for the Scorchers after he finished with the lowest Round score of his season, with 34 points against the Heat in Round 5. In a nutshell, it sums up the unpredictability that SuperCoach BBL presents. Hot one week, cold the next.

Still, Richardson averaged 68.8 points from just five appearances and it’s likely he’ll get a better look at that average with greater responsibility asked of him in BBL|09.

If you still need convincing, Richardson’s Scorchers will enjoy the double game week in Round 3.

SUPERCOACH BBL STUDY GUIDES:

> Adelaide Strikers SuperCoach BBL|09 preview

> Brisbane Heat SuperCoach BBL|09 preview

> Hobart Hurricanes BBL|09 preview

> Melbourne Renegades BBL|09 preview

> Melbourne Stars BBL|09 preview

> Perth Scorchers BBL|09 preview

> Sydney Sixers BBL|09 preview

> Sydney Thunder BBL|09 preview

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WHY NOT BOTH?

Let’s face it, both bowlers are absolute rip-snorters in the short-form game and have form lines that can be relied upon to post decent scores. However, if you had to choose just one, it would be unsurprising to see many go with the cheaper Richardson – Jhye comes in $36,100 less and will shoulder a good load of the bowling duties for a team skinny in that particular area.

Even at a price tag of over $200,000 there’s a case for Kane – he’s worth shelling out for. He is a behemoth when it comes to snagging wickets and if the ‘Gades are to defend their title then Richardson of the Melbourne variety will have a lot to do with it.

At some point, both Richardson’s will be in the frame for international commitments, but you could do worse than starting this two pacemen to get your SuperCoach BBL season off to a blinder.

SUPERCOACH BBL CELEB SIDES:

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> Vaughan's opportunity awaits – it's time for Warne to be hit out of the park

> Watch out Warnie – Isa is coming for you

> Mark Howard's one aim this SuperCoach BBL season

> The side everyone wants to beat: Warnie reveals his squad

ADD THE CELEBS TO YOUR SUPERCOACH LEAGUES: all celebrities playing the SuperCoach BBL game are now available to add to your leagues … stay tuned for more celebrity sides!

Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: Battle of the Richo’s – is Kane or Jhye a better buy for your squad?