SuperCoach BBL: Mid-range madness

SUPERCOACH BBL is stacked with value in the mid-range bracket, otherwise known as ‘expensive cheapies’ or ‘underpriced guns’.

Brendon McCullum of the Heat.

THERE’S long been a theory in SuperCoach that the best approach is a ‘guns and rookies’ strategy. That is, loading up on top-line premium players and topping up with a plethora of rookies to round out your team.

There is certainly merit in that theory, however, there is gold to be found within the awkward mid-priced bracket. Truth be told, there is an argument that a lot of the below players qualify as ‘expensive cheapies’.

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Some can also be considered ‘underpriced guns’ with the capability to post match-winning scores.

Others are young guns approaching breakout years after honing their craft throughout winter and showing considerable form, development and promise throughout the JLT Cup series.

We’ve ranked our top 10 mid-priced players who can make a considerable impact on your SuperCoach team.

Adam Zampa | BWL | $122,000

Adam Zampa starred for the Redbacks in the JLT Cup.

International discard Adam Zampa started the summer with a bang, finishing the JLT Cup with nine wickets in four games. Those figures alone are enough to make the team of the tournament, let alone any serious SuperCoach-contending team. Zampa played just five games last year for a lean SuperCoach average of 21 points. But we’re expecting the 26-year-old to have more opportunities with the ball in BBL|08. A favourite of SuperCoach scouts throughout the JLT Cup, load up and watch him rip this summer.

Daniel Sams | BWL | $127,700

After punishing teams with his left-arm bowling and a few cheeky slower ones in BBL|07, Daniel Sams comes in at the mid-price range ahead of BBL|08. He played just six games last year for a 47-point SuperCoach average, and it could’ve been more had he been able to show his skills with the bat — and trust us, he can absolutely let rip with the willow. Sams will likely feature in the top six batting order for the Thunder in BBL|08, particularly after a super-impressive JLT Cup series where he averaged 49.3 with a strike rate of 120.32. He’s worth shelling out the $127,300 asking price.

Gurinder Sandhu | BWL | $133,800

Gurinder Sandhu on his way to 7/56 in the JLT Cup final.

The big bullocking ‘G-man’, Gurinder Sandhu put together a near perfect debut JLT Cup tournament for Tasmania, producing career-best figures of 7/56 in the grand final against Victoria. By all reports, Sandhu has spent the offseason honing his bowling technique and focusing on his stability and strength and it paid off with no less than 18 wickets taken throughout the JLT Cup — equal first with Western Australia’s Andrew Tye. At $133,800, Sandhu is priced awkwardly in SuperCoach, and while he isn’t quite a boom or bust selection, he certainly has big upside in his game.

Brendon McCullum | BAT | $113,300

The New Zealand native knows how to muscle boundaries and is no stranger to clearing the fence in the BBL. Few others in the game have the poise yet sheer strength and brutality that Brendon McCullum has with the bat. And for those wondering about his form in the IPL, McCallum smacked 158 not out in the season opener for Bangalore. Furthermore, McCullum’s durability works heavily in his favour in the BBL. He is a safe pick, whose ceiling in SuperCoach points is untapped.

Brendon McCullum has a high ceiling.

Ben McDermott | ALR | $115,300

The Hobart gloveman and batsmen looms as a worthy all-rounder to start, particularly if you’re looking to utilising Ben McDermott’s feats with the gloves alongside likely first-choice keeper Alex Carey. Not only is McDermott a safe, season-long keeper (pardon the pun), he’ll help with coverage in the wicketkeeper position during the bye-rounds. Hobart came agonisingly close to the title last year and will butter up and go again in BBL|08, and the recently T20I selected McDermott will be looked upon to put some serious runs on the board. McDermott scored the second most runs in the JLT Cup (427), bettered only by Chris Lynn (452), including two tons and two half tons. The 24-year-old is ready for a massive summer for the Hurricanes and has made the 14-man T20 squad to take on Pakistan at the end of the month.

Nathan Coulter-Nile | ALR | $125,000

The injuries that savaged Nathan Coulter-Nile and put a line through his BBL|07 campaign, and his two summers before that, look behind him, as the Western Australian Paceman has been named in the 14-man squad to take on Pakistan later this month. Whilst Coulter-Nile is understandably disappointed to miss red-ball cricket, the good news for prospective SuperCoach owners is he will play white-ball cricket for the foreseeable future. The 30-year-old has put together some consistent outings for WA in the JLT Cup, finishing with a total of six wickets in three games, including ripping through the Redbacks, taking 3-46 with a sweet economy rate of 3.30!

Nathan Coulter-Nile was impressive during the JLT Cup.

Mark Steketee | BWL | $118,300

I am an unabashed fan of Mark Steketee, who showed a lot of promise throughout BBL|07 with a SuperCoach average of 43.7 points. But it’s the body of work put together throughout the JLT Cup that makes me think he is ready to break out in BBL|08. Steketee got off to a flyer for Queensland, finishing with 4/45 with a sub-four economy rate of 3.89 against the Vics. He backed up in the next game with another four wickets against Tasmania and showed his ability during finals, taking 3/67 to remove South Australia from JLT Cup contention. He’s priced reasonably well, and I’m expecting him to carry this form to the Heat this summer.

Brendan Doggett | BWL| $112,500

Who? You ask. We haven’t seen his name in the JLT Cup. He’s not injured. But currently, Brendan Doggett is on the Australian Test tour of the UAE! Talk about flying under the radar! Having taken a five-wicket haul in the winning Queensland Sheffield Shield final last summer and impressing on the Australia A tour of India last month, those who have seen him play know he could very well break out in the Big Bash this year. Bowls rapid (145km/h easily!), has a very easy action to generate pace and ‘hits the hole’ well at the death. Trent Copeland has him marked down as a starter (if picked), and of that advice — we do too!

Brendan Doggett for the Heat. He made the Test squad for the Pakistan series.

Johan Botha | ALR | $95,600

Is he an expensive cheapie, or on the lighter side for a mid-priced player? Either way, Johan Botha is certainly worth opening the chequebook for. Botha’s feats in the short form game need no introduction. After all, he’s been playing BBL for the last few years. Botha, while a veteran, is undeniably cheap considering his durability and job security. He’s moved from the Sixers to the Hurricanes, who are expected to be a force again in BBL|08. Botha’s off-spin will be keenly utilised by Hobart, particularly with the departure of Cameron Boyce to the Renegades. Botha averaged a modest 35 SuperCoach points last year, but we’re tipping him to better that in BBL|08.

Usman Qadir | ALR | $90,000

You might’ve read in our 10 Fearless Predictions that we’re tipping the international man of mystery, Usman Qadir to become a legitimate big-timer in BBL|08 this year. As for our SuperCoach teams, the leg-spinner born in Pakistan and son to the famous Abdul Qadir has been in Australia for the past 12 months honing his craft. It’s paying off in spades, as evident for his 3/50 against Victoria in the JLT Cup.

MORE SUPERCOACH BBL CONTENT

Cheapie Bible / L-plate guide / Batsmen prices revealed / Bowlers prices revealed / Top 100 players in BBL / SuperCoach scoring system revealed / 10 commandments / Best batsmen / Best all rounders / Best bowlers / Best wicket keepers / 10 fearless predictions / BBL’s international onslaught / Poms set to dominate Big Bash / West Indian guns-for-hire / Full squad list

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Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: Mid-range madness