SuperCoach BBL: Getting the team selection right could make your season

With just two games to go, it’s likely either all over for you in leagues or it’s really serious – the SuperCoach BBL grand final is this Thursday which, given the weather forecast for Saturday in Sydney, might be just as well.

Jono Cook (centre) of the Thunder celebrates with Callum Ferguson (left) and Jay Lenton (right)

With just two games to go, it’s likely either all over for you in leagues or it’s really serious – the SuperCoach BBL grand final is this Thursday which, given the weather forecast for Saturday in Sydney, might be just as well.

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$1000 to be won every round: register for SuperCoach BBL now!

Last round, Melbourne Stars did what they always seem to do and crumbled when the pressure was on. They’ve not lost four games in a row; it’s hard not to expect it to become a run of five losses to close out the BBL|09 when they take on the Sydney Thunder.

By comparison, the ‘other’ Sydney side have finished their season with a fantastic run of form, eclipsing both the Hurricanes and the Strikers on the road. What’s to say that they won’t do so against the Stars?

Then their cross-town rivals the Sixers await in the season decider on Saturday in a cross-town rivalry match-up that would have administrators and broadcasters keen to see given the thrilling Super Over finish the last time the teams clashed at the SCG.

$1000 to be won every round: register for SuperCoach BBL now!

BOOM OF THE ROUND: ALEX HALES | SYDNEY THUNDER | BAT | 117 points | 30.4% ownership

In frankly unbelievable form, it feels like some time since, ahead of Round 5, his highest score of 68 runs made up over half of his total of 122 runs in five innings. The Englishman has represented a heap of Big Bash sides over the journey, and was never a star at any of them, but his finish to the season looks set to change that for the Thunder – his score of 95 points against Perth in Round 13 is the only time he’s failed to bring up in excess of 100 points across the last five rounds, in which he’s averaging an incredible 112.2.

Alex Hales has hit form at the right time of the season for the Thunder

BUST OF THE ROUND: BILLY STANLAKE | ADELAIDE STRIKERS | BWL | 6 points | 10.5% ownership

Billy Stanlake closed out his season with at least a nine point improvement upon his previous match when Matthew Wade and D’Arcy Short got a hold of him and he tallied -3. In the end, Stanlake had somewhat of an indifferent season, missing a fair few matches and only irregularly showcasing his ability in BBL|09.

UNIQUE OF THE ROUND: JONO COOK | SYDNEY THUNDER | BWL | 89 points | 14.2%

Jumping from 2% ownership in a round in which 44 players competed compared to 14.2% in which only 22 did is not as big a jump in ownership as the gap from 2% to 14% would appear. Cook’s form in the finals has been exemplary and he’s not just taking wickets but the tall tweaker is bowling a tight line. His last two rounds are by far away his highest scoring performances, with his next best after this round’s 89 and last’s 131 being the opening round 89 when he played in two matches.

$1000 to be won every round: register for SuperCoach BBL now!

Adam Zampa of the Stars was the only Stars player to perform last round; is a must-have in SuperCoach BBL?

WHO TO TARGET & CAPTAIN’S CHOICE

As per above, surely this is the round where SuperCoach players light a flame for Cook? His form has been outstanding and he shouldn’t be denied any further. It’s similarly tough to look past Hales, who has hit excellent form. For the Stars, the only player who handled the pressure in the final against the Sixers was Adam Zampa, while Haris Rauf looked rusty but may be better for the run.

In these two horse races it’s more important to get the captain right than ever – Daniel Sams is the logical ‘safe’ choice, but conversely do you presume that at least half the players will have lost faith in Marcus Stoinis? If he steps up and dominates, then naming him as captain and risking that he goes large is a tactical move that could pay off.

Will Callum Ferguson of the Thunder fire in the finals?

Conversely, it could of course be a complete disaster! Stoinis has not looked his normal self for a few matches, and while it was great to see him bowling again it’d be preferable if he was blasting big scores. The same could be said for Callum Ferguson, with the Thunder captain’s season not finishing the way it began.

It’s a classic risk / reward scenario; which way will you go?

$1000 to be won every round: register for SuperCoach BBL now!

Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: Getting the team selection right could make your season