SuperCoach BBL: Possible XIs and three players that you NEED from each Big Bash side

With the league kicking off for a new season, here’s who we think will be playing in Round 1 for each Big Bash side, and three players from each who you need in your SuperCoach BBL side ahead.

SuperCoach BBL will bring the fire

With the league kicking off for a new season, here’s who we think will be playing in Round 1 for each Big Bash side, and three players from each who you need in your SuperCoach BBL side ahead.

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Possible ADELAIDE STRIKERS XI for their first game (which is in Round 2 of SuperCoach):

Phil Salt

Jake Weatherald

Matt Short

Jake Lehmann

Cameron White

Alex Carey (Capt., wk)

Michael Neser

Rashid Khan

Peter Siddle

Wes Agar

Billy Stanlake

12th: Jon Wells

Some believe that - as per his position in the Australian XI at both ODI and T20 level - the Strikers’ skipper and ‘keeper Alex Carey will bat significantly lower down the order than he has in previous seasons for his Big Bash side, but there’s others who simply can’t see coach Jason Gillespie ‘wasting’ his arguably best player so far down the order, meaning that he might come in first-drop.

Pick 3? Undoubtedly the star player for the Strikers, Afghani spin sensation Rashid Khan is the player to target to bring in for Round 2 of the SuperCoach BBL season. Wes Agar is a nicely-priced option for a BWL-only choice who will play a key role for the Strikers with the ball, while Michael Neser will be a key hitter lower in their order as well their main weapon for their bowling innings.

Wes Agar will be a vital player for the Strikers in BBL|09, and is at an affordable price point in SuperCoach BBL

Possible BRISBANE HEAT XI for their first game:

Tom Banton

Max Bryant

Chris Lynn (Capt.)

Matt Renshaw

Sam Heazlett

Jimmy Peirson (wk)

Ben Cutting

Mitch Swepson

Ben Laughlin

Josh Lalor

Zahir Khan

12th: Mark Steketee

Currently the most popular player in SuperCoach BBL, Jimmy Peirson will either take the gloves or has earned a spot in the top 6 regardless due to his excellent domestic batting form. Queries have been asked about Brisbane’s firepower, but they’ve definitely strengthened their depth with the recruitment of former Striker Ben Laughlin.

Pick 3? You gotta have at least a couple of Heat players for the start of the SuperCoach BBL season, with them having double match duties in Round 1. It’s impossible to look past English import Tom Banton at the top of the order, while Peirson’s popularity is no surprise given his form. Conversely, Laughlin should be in more sides following his switch from the Strikers - he’s the leading wicket taker in the history of the BBL.

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Possible HOBART HURRICANES XI for their first game:

D’Arcy Short

Caleb Jewell

Ben McDermott (wk)

David Miller

George Bailey

Simon Milenko

James Faulkner

Riley Meredith

Nathan Ellis

Qais Ahmad

Scott Boland

12th: Jake Doran

The ‘Canes were duped of a Grand Final berth last year but, that aside, their roster looks strong ahead of the new season and seemingly Hobart always have a way of going under the radar. D’Arcy Short is a perennial shot-caller in SuperCoach, his figures speak for themselves and there’s a reason he is one of the most expensive players in the game. But there remains some mystery over who might partner him at the top of the order. Caleb Jewell has a huge case, but so does gloveman Ben McDermott and then there’s David Miller... But you can’t discount George Bailey who is as safe as houses, and might take the leadership role in the wake of Matthew Wade’s Test commitments. To put it simply, Hobart has immense depth from first to arguably fourth drop.

Pick 3? New kid on the block Nathan Ellis will be Hobart’s designated tear-through guy and will be expected to unleash on opposition batsmen with extreme force. Qais Ahmad is devastating with the ball and will bamboozle most batsmen into submission while Scott Boland is somewhat of a veteran who gives the bowling attack a nice balance.

Qais Ahmad of the Hurricanes looks to be a big chance to be his team’s wicket-taking weapon

Possible MELBOURNE RENEGADES XI for their first game:

Aaron Finch (Capt.)

Marcus Harris

Shaun Marsh

Sam Harper (wk)

Tom Cooper

Dan Christian

Will Sutherland

Kane Richardson

Cameron Boyce

Richard Gleeson

Harry Gurney

12th: Jack Wildermuth

This could be the best opening pairing in the Big Bash this coming season. Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris are set to open the batting for the ‘Gades and they’ll make most of the pitch at Marvel Stadium and ensure that no seat or piece of rope is safe during BBL|09. Sam Harper really came on in the back half of last year’s tournament but with so many keeper options this year - he’ll be overlooked by SuperCoaches.

Pick 3? The ‘Gades have a good mix of youth and experience and fans should get a good look at all-rounder Will Sutherland early in the season while fellow cheapie Jake Fraser-McGurk is unlikely to see much action, as he’s off to South Africa for the Under/19 World Cup. Cam Boyce is a frontline spinner who’ll get a strong look at his maximum overs while Harry Gurney is set to stick out the entire BBL season which is great news for SuperCoaches given his dominance at the death last season.

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Possible MELBOURNE STARS XI for their first game:

Marcus Stoinis

Ben Dunk

Nic Maddinson

Pete Handscomb (wk)

Glenn Maxwell (Capt.)

Hilton Cartwright

Seb Gotch

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Sandeep Lamichhane

Adam Zampa

Dale Steyn

12th: Daniel Worrall

Falling just short of winning the Big Bash League last season, the Stars have lived up to their moniker, bringing in two players from the Scorchers and also the legendary South African speedster Dale Steyn. The addition of Nathan Coulter-Nile and Steyn in particular gives them the sort of firepower with the ball they have often lacked.

Pick 3? Marcus Stoinis is the priciest SuperCoach BBL for a very good reason - he’s very, very good. A clear stand-out last season, expect him to continue on with that sort of form as he leads off the Stars at the top of the order; best of all for SuperCoach fans, he’ll be available for the entire season as he is likely to miss out on the ODI tour to India. Nic Maddinson is reasonably priced, and is better than his numbers last season indicate. If you want Dale Steyn, get him in early - he’s only confirmed for the first part of the BBL season.

If you Melbourne Stars signing Dale Steyn in your SuperCoach squad, get him from the start of the season

Possible PERTH SCORCHERS XI for their first game:

Liam Livingstone

Cameron Bancroft (wk)

Mitch Marsh

Ashton Turner

Cameron Green

Ashton Agar

Jhye Richardson

Matthew Kelly

Joel Paris

Chris Jordan

Fawad Ahmed

12th: Josh Inglis

The Scorchers are almost unrecognisable this season with a raft of key players from BBL|08 either injured or have moved on. English import Liam Livingstone has been brought in to do a job - although him taking the gloves in a recent trial game caught everyone by surprise! - at the top of the order and it’s likely that Cam Bancroft will partner with him. Mitch Marsh provides huge value at first drop and from there it could be form dependent. Cameron Green is the cheapie to keep an eye on - he’s brilliant with the ball but he’s a hard hitter who can make things happen in the middle of the order.

Pick 3? For bowlers, Jhye Richardson and Matt Kelly will shoulder the load and are expected to bowl their maximum overs each game. Joel Paris will be looking for a strong summer after spending most of last season with lingering injuries.

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Possible SYDNEY SIXERS XI for their first game:

Daniel Hughes

Josh Phillippe (wk)

James Vince

Moises Henriques (Capt.)

Jordan Silk

Jack Edwards

Tom Curran

Sean Abbott

Steve O'Keefe

Ben Dwarshuis

Jackson Bird

12th: Mickey Edwards

If Daniel Hughes is partnered with England’s James Vince at the top of the order and WKP / BAT favourite Josh Philippe is pushed out of the top of the order, then there’ll be a lot of questions being asked by SuperCoach owners as to whether they’re prepared to have him in their side. The Sixers batting depth is relatively shallow, which might give Jack Edwards a spot in the side instead of his brother.

Pick 3? Hughes has been in terrific form so far this summer, and is a must-start with so many of the Sixers featuring in five matches in the first three rounds of the SuperCoach BBL season. Tom Curran was the best import in the game last year and there’s no reason to not back him in to maintain that in BBL|09. With uncertainty around Philippe’s role in the side, Steve O’Keefe would give any SuperCoach BBL squad a serious point of difference.

Stephan O'Keefe of the Sixers will give anyone’s SuperCoach BBL side a serious point of difference

Possible SYDNEY THUNDER XI for their first game:

Usman Khawaja

Alex Hales

Callum Ferguson (Capt.)

Jason Sangha

Matthew Gilkes (wk)

Daniel Sams

Alex Ross

Jono Cook

Chris Green

Arjun Nair

Chris Tremain

12th: Sam Hatcher

Title contenders? Potentially! Particularly when you consider that Usman Khawaja will play most games of the season and will absolutely get on the tonk with any opportunity. Khawaja is a wizard with the bat and will find all the openings to rocket his SuperCoach score skyward throughout the season.

Pick 3? Alex Hales joins the Thunder this year and while his form in the BBL hasn’t been great, there’s faith that he’ll be able to make good on his potential and partner Uzzi at the top of the order. Callum Ferguson is all class - he might be the best first-drop player in the competition this year. Daniel Sams showed last year just how lethal he could be with the bat and with a neat bag of tricks will swing at any lazy bowler and make them pay.

SUPERCOACH BBL CELEB SIDES:

> Mike Hussey’s magic men for SuperCoach BBL

> Warne is good on the lip, but is he ready to take on BJ?

> 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!

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Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: Possible XIs and three players that you NEED from each Big Bash side