SuperCoach BBL: Probably still won't win, but I'm happy with my squad...for now

Since I picked my side at the opening of the campaign some six or so weeks ago, I have waxed and waned with decisions around selecting certain players, but others I’m categorically locked-in on ahead of the start of the SuperCoach BBL game.

Usman Khawaja hooks during the BBL practice match between the Sydney Sixers and Sydney Thunder at the SCG

Since I picked my side at the opening of the campaign some six or so weeks ago, I have waxed and waned with decisions around selecting certain players, but others I’m categorically locked-in on ahead of the start of the SuperCoach BBL game.

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Last season, I got it completely wrong – I went chasing the points ahead of the double rounds early in the season, and I had faith in veteran performers that they would step up and deliver for me.

Suffice to say, it all went pear-shaped as the likes of Maxi Klinger, Brendan McCullum and others besides failed to set the cat amongst the pigeons and perform to the expectations that I was hoping they would deliver.

So do I put faith in my ten-year old son and back in his selection choices (which, essentially, amounts to a ‘pick all the Melbourne Stars players and then fill in any gaps with cheapies’ approach) or do I double down on the double-scoring round approach for the second year running? It’s the latter...if the boy wants to back himself, he’s more than welcome to start a side of his own!

Obviously there’s a note of caution to this side – mostly, everyone I pick STINKS right up to the point that I jettison them from my side...and watch out for any players that I trade in, as inevitably I’ll put the mozzer on them too. There’s a good reason my side is named ‘won’t win’ – it’s entirely prophetic.

So, a couple of days out from the start of the season, here’s my current starting squad for Round 1, SC BBL|09.

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BATSMEN:

USMAN KHAWAJA | SYDNEY THUNDER | 59.0 avg. in BBL|08 | $198,500 in BBL|09

While the likes of Shaun Marsh are unlikely to get Australian selection honours this summer, the chance that Usman Khawaja is picked at Test level or as part of the touring party to India raises some degree of concern in terms of his security, as he would be particularly handy as a lead-off batsman from a side who do not have a bye this SuperCoach BBL season. There’s a reason that he’s the eighth most expensive player in the game this season – he’s an absolutely T20 gun at domestic level.

CHRIS LYNN | BRISBANE HEAT | 43.6 avg. | $173,000

Lynn has admitted that his season last time around was disappointing...and that’s an understatement. He’s the sort of player that can be expected to average far more points per round than sub-45, and with a two matches in Round 1, there’s no reason not to pick him – at under $175,000 he’s an absolute bargain compared to others around him. Expect his scoring to see many non-selectors clambering to add him in as quickly as they can.

TOM BANTON | BRISBANE HEAT | no BBL|08 avg. | $125,000

It’s hard to look past Banton who has been upgraded to Dual Position Player status with WKP as an additional benefit. Given that, and likely regular availability at least for the first part of the season, he’s in my side for Round 1 as a lock, and if his form warrants I hope that he’ll be there for the entire season.

DANIEL HUGHES | SYDNEY SIXERS | 40.1 avg. | $115,600

Arguably in the form of his life in the Marsh Cup, Hughes is possibly the best value player in the entirety of the SuperCoach BBL game. He’s scored heavily this summer, and with five matches in the first three rounds his price will quickly climb, which means he makes sense to start with before trading up when the time comes, which could be as early as Round 4 when the Sixers have the first of their two bye rounds.

MARCUS HARRIS | MELBOURNE RENEGADES | 18.0 avg. | $62,500

His form is better than his average last season and price this year indicates – Harris is likely to partner Aaron Finch or Shaun Marsh at the top of the batting order for the ‘Gades, but with his Strike Rate of 125.33 across 39 T20 matches throughout his career, I’m reasonably confident that he’ll average more than 18 ppg, particularly as he won’t be switching between Test and BBL duties this season.

JAKE FRASER-McGURK | MELBOURNE RENEGADES | no BBL|08 avg. | $42,000

WILL SUTHERLAND | MELBOURNE RENEGADES | 17.0 avg. | $42,000

Two DPP rookie picks sit on the bench – it’s expected that Fraser-McGurk will not feature too often given that he’s off to South Africa to represent Australia at the Under/19 World Cup along with Renegades’ teammate Mackenzie Harvey and Sydney Thunder’s Tanveer Sangha.

Josh Philippe is not just a star with the bat; he’s also brilliant at executing run-outs and taking spectacular catches

KEEPER:

JOSH PHILIPPE | SYDNEY SIXERS | 42.7 avg. | $123,000

With the Strikers’ Alex Carey being on bye in Round 1, it makes sense to go for the Sixers’ Philippe from season start, primarily as he has double match scoring opportunities in Rounds 1 and 3. He’s yet to make a T20 century in 16 matches, but his Strike Rate of 154 and an average of just over 28 runs per game makes him far too tempting not to select.

JIMMY PEIRSON | BRISBANE HEAT | 20.7 avg. | $62,500

It was a choice of picking the non-aligned Peter Nevill or running with Peirson on the pine – I can’t for the life of me figure out people’s fascination with selecting a player who’ll simply be a loophole option when you can have someone making bank – Peirson can wield the willow and take a catch, so i’d rather him as my bench option.

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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Marcus Stoinis of the Stars is capable of earning as many points with the ball as with the willow

BOWLERS:

MARCUS STOINIS | MELBOURNE STARS | 96.9 avg. in BBL|08 | $278,900 in BBL|09

Stoinis is the clear high-priced player based upon his incredible season last year. He monstered it for the Stars, and any player who can average nearly 100 points in the game – nearly 30 average points per game higher than the tenth-ranked player – is worth selecting, particularly as he has dual position flexibility. If he’s confirmed as an opener for the Stars from the start of the season, he’s worth having from Round 1.

D’ARCY SHORT | HOBART HURRICANES | 91.3 avg. | $262,800

You simply can’t look past D’Arcy Short. He’s the top player in the game over Stoinis because, quite simply, he is more likely to play the full season. With Short unlikely to get a call up to tour India in the middle of the BBL|09 season, he’s a sure-fire winner for the majority of SuperCoach BBL sides, with his Dual Position Player flexibility making him a monty to pick in either the BAT or BWL position. As per with Stoinis’ inclusion, it’s a case of either having him in my squad now or regretting it later.

TOM CURRAN | SYDNEY SIXERS | 73.0 avg. | $210,000

Curran proved to be an out-and-out star in the Big Bash League last season, but there’s a massive concern ahead of this season – just how many games will he play? The likelihood is that, like his English counterpart Jofra Archer, he will be required for English duties for the majority of the back half of the BBL|09 season as they are touring South Africa at that time. He will, however, be around for the first part of the season.

BEN LAUGHLIN | BRISBANE HEAT | 37.3 avg. | $107,300

Prior to his shift from the Strikers, Laughlin wasn’t even a consideration, primarily because the Adelaide side had the bye in Round 1. But the minute the leading wicket taker in the Big Bash League made his move to the Heat, with their double match feature in Round 1, i found a spot for him in my side – he’s too cheap not to pick up for the start of the season and then use as trade collateral when they have their bye in Round 3.

MOISES HENRIQUES | SYDNEY SIXERS | 35.3 avg. | $101,500

The skipper of the Sixers, Henriques is too tempting at just over $100,000 to not back in to have a big season in BBL|09 – he’s got nearly 200 T20 games under his belt, and last Big Bash season averaged just on 27 runs per innings and barely bowled, claiming just one wicket from 5 overs. If he can increase his bowling commitments – and early indications are that he’s bowling more than this time last year – then he could be a super handy player ahead of this season.

CAMERON GREEN | PERTH SCORCHERS | 12.0 avg. | $42,000

NATHAN ELLIS | HOBART HURRICANES | no BBL|08 avg. | $42,000

Green has the added advantage of being selectable as a BAT, meaning i can flick him around when trading – alternatively, given his form to start the summer, he may well find himself becoming a regular part of my side. The same is true of the speedster Ellis, who is a player to watch in BBL|09 and one of the few quicks left in the Hobart squad.

SUPERCOACH BBL CELEB SIDES:

> 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

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Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: Probably still won't win, but I'm happy with my squad...for now