SuperCoach BBL round 7 trade guide: Harry Nielsen is about to become the most popular name

International duties are set to turn SuperCoach BBL teams on their head with a host of big names jetting. Here are the top targets you need in your team.

Michael Neser of the Strikers recovers after falling while bowling during the Big Bash League (BBL) match between the Perth Scorchers and the Adelaide Strikers at Optus Stadium in Perth, Wednesday, December 26, 2018. (AAP Image/Richard Wainwright) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY, IMAGES TO BE USED FOR NEWS REPORTING PURPOSES ONLY, NO COMMERCIAL USE WHATSOEVER, NO USE IN BOOKS WITHOUT PRIOR WRITTEN CONSENT FROM AAP

Harry Nielsen is about to become the most popular name in Supercoach BBL.

The son of former Australian coach Tim Nielsen, 23-year-old Nielsen is set to deputise for Australian limited-overs wicketkeeper Alex Carey during Adelaide Strikers’ Round 7 double.

Carey will be unavailable due to Australia’s one-day international series against India, which runs from January 12-18.

The Strikers play twice in three days on January 11 and 13, facing Melbourne Stars and Sydney Thunder either side of the opening game of the ODI series.

Nielsen was a late addition to the Strikers squad, initially signing as a replacement player for Travis Head.

Nielsen, who made a century in a tour game against India earlier this summer, looms as the solution to a keeping conundrum in Round 7.

Rashid Khan is embracing his popularity in the BBL and SuperCoach this season

Harry Nielsen is about to become the most popular name in Supercoach BBL.

The three highest-scoring Supercoach glovemen - Jos Buttler, Matthew Wade and Carey - are unavailable.

Buttler will depart Sydney Thunder for English Test duties in the Caribbean, Wade has a bye with Hobart Hurricanes and Carey will be away with the Australian side.

At just $42,000 and listed as a WK/BAT, Nielsen will be the perfect addition for Round 7.

Whether he acts as a direct replacement for Carey at the top of the order is questionable, with Head to return to the Strikers after the Test series against India wrapped up.

But at that price and with a double game week ahead, Nielsen is too cheap to ignore.

Alternatively, if you’re among the 33 per cent of coaches still holding Sydney Sixers keeper Josh Phillipe, you could swing him on field and hope he is thrust to the top of the batting line-up to replace departing Englishman Joe Denly.

Phillipe has only averaged 34 points per game, but not having to trade for a wicketkeeper could allow you to forward plan for Hobart Hurricanes Round 8 double.

Melbourne Renegades rising star Sam Harper is another secure option, batting in the top three and taking the gloves.

Of the other available keepers, Jimmy Pierson is batting too low in the Brisbane Heat line-up to be a consistent scorer, Cameron Bancroft is only listed as a batsman, Ben Dunk’s form has been indifferent and Jay Lenton is yet to play a game in BBL08 for Sydney Thunder.

D’Arcy Short will be priced at about $250,000 when he returns in Round 8 and you will need to have a plan in place to add him to your side.

The Hurricanes have doubles in Round 8 and 11, but crucially do not have another bye for the rest of the season.

This means you can lock arguably the Big Bash League’s most damaging batsman into your side for the rest of the season if you have enough in the kitty to bring him in.

Michael Neser of the Strikers recovers after falling while bowling during the Big Bash League

TOP TARGETS

Harry Nielsen

A perfect trade-in option for all the reasons listed above. He’s cheap, guaranteed two games in a double game round and can then be used for the remainder of the season to deploy the vice-captain loophole.

Rashid Khan

The best spinner in the Big Bash League has shown his fortitude by continuing to play for Adelaide Strikers after the death of his father. How Rashid is only in 42 per cent of teams is puzzling. He should be in every serious Supercoach side this round.

Michael Neser

Spinner Liam O’Connor’s inclusion in the Strikers team has pushed bowling all-rounder Neser to No.6 in the batting order. He’s available for considerably less than his starting price and could bat and bowl twice in Round 7. Ticks all the boxes.

Travis Head

Back from Australian Test duties, Head will have a point to prove after being left out of the one-day squad. He will be expected to slot in at No.3. The left-hander doesn’t come cheap at $207,000 but many coaches are planning to bring him in and then move him to D’Arcy Short in Round 8.

D’Arcy Short (for Round 8)

Start planning how you are going to bring Short in next round, even if it means leaving some money in your bank for Round 7. It will be worth it in the long run.

POD (Point of difference)

Clive Rose of the Hobart Hurricanes celebrates the wicket of Sam Harper

MOVES

Liam O’Connor

The leg-spinner who deputised for Rashid Khan with aplomb in last season’s final has performed strongly since being recalled to the Strikers team. He’s in only one per cent of teams and should still be under $100,000. He’s scored 73 and 33 in two games.

Jon Wells

The underrated member of Adelaide Strikers’ batting line-up, Wells has 134 runs at 67 in BBL08. He has produced scores of 23 not out, 42, 22 not out and 42 not out in his six innings. Picking a No.5 batsman can be risky but he’s in superb form.

Dwayne Bravo

No Glenn Maxwell, Adam Zampa or Marcus Stoinis places the onus firmly on Bravo to be the main man for Melbourne Stars. He’s bowling four overs a game but should also bat in the top four when the Stars face the Strikers. He’s a premium option but worth the price.

Harry Gurney

The English seamer will debut for Melbourne Renegades in Round 7, replacing Usman Khan Shinwari. He’s an experienced Twenty20 bowler who has 134 wickets from 114 games and will be playing on the bowler-friendly Docklands deck. Gurney should be a bargain at $62,500 and has a double in Round 9.

Anton Devcich

Another replacement player, Devcich will cost $73,000 before making his Sydney Thunder debut. He’s available as a BAT/BWL and should slot into the top four to replace either Jos Buttler or Joe Root. The New Zealander averages 25.5 with a strike rate of 131 from 126 T20 games.

Originally published as SuperCoach BBL round 7 trade guide: Harry Nielsen is about to become the most popular name