SuperCoach BBL: When it comes to opener options, should you pick a Sixer or a Striker?

Daniel Hughes and Jake Weatherald are priced within $7,000 each other in SuperCoach BBL and look set for big seasons based upon their start to the domestic summer, and both seem certain to be key players for their respective sides.

Daniel Hughes of the Sixers looms as an important player in SuperCoach BBL, with multiple double-ups in the first three rounds of the competition

There’s particular value to be had with players under the $120,000 price mark – especially so if they’re players who are able to make an impact at the top of the order by hitting the ball out of the park on a regular basis!

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Two openers priced within $7,000 each other in SuperCoach BBL look set for big seasons based upon their start to the domestic summer, and both seem certain to be key players for their respective sides – but should you be looking to buy Daniel Hughes, Jake Weatherald, both, or neither?

Sixers’ Daniel Hughes has been in fantastic form in the Marsh Cup – will it continue in the Big Bash League?

WHY HUGHES?

A two-time Sixer – he spent two seasons at cross-town rival the Thunder – Daniel Hughes’ form has been exemplary thus far this summer.

Much like last Big Bash season – where he scored two 90+ SuperCoach point games in his first five matches – Hughes’ form in the Marsh Cup opening rounds was terrific, with two monster centuries and a 50 under his belt to start the white ball season.

He was the tournament leading run-scorer during the Marsh Cup with 440 runs, averaging 73.33, and goes into BBL|09 priced at $115,500 in SuperCoach.

Having seemingly found his spot at the top of the order for NSW, it’s reasonable to expect that he will partner either WKP / BAT option Josh Philippe or international BAT import James Vince at the top of the Sixers’ order, and getting his team off to a great start in the T20 format will be paramount to his success this season.

Big-hitting Jake Weatherald of the Strikers looms as a vital player for the Strikers in SuperCoach BBL

WHY WEATHERALD?

Like Hughes, Weatherald is a left-hand opener who hits it hard – his partnership at the top of the order with now-Australian ODI ‘keeper Alex Carey was integral to the Strikers’ maiden Big Bash League championship two seasons ago.

His dip in form last time around was a big factor in the Strikers’ slide towards the bottom of the BBL ladder, and if they are to climb again then they will need him to fire. Certainly, for $108,900 he provides potentially great value.

Weatherald is certainly consistent at representing his side, having missed just one match in the past three seasons and his best performance remains a defining one, hitting 115 in the BBL|07 final to help guide his side to victory.

With seven half-centuries in addition to that sole ton, Weatherald will start BBL|09 as the third-highest BBL run-scorer for the Strikers.

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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WHY NOT BOTH?

Quite simply, Weatherald has a bye in the opening round of the season – it means that if you want him in your SuperCoach BBL squad to start the season you’ll be carrying a donut in the opening round.

However, with value to be had with the $42,000 players who’ll be suiting up in the Big Bash in Round 1, having Weatherald good to go at the start of Round 2 makes some degree of sense.

Certainly, starting Hughes seems to be a no-brainer. With the Sixers playing five times in the opening three Rounds, there’s reasonable expectations that he will increase in price and bring immediate trade value early in the tournament.

The question then becomes, if his Marsh Cup form carries over to the Big Bash, do you sell him off or hold him through the Sixers’ Round 4 bye? A nice option might be to start with Hughes for the opening three rounds then, hopefully, use him as an upgrade / downgrade option.

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Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: When it comes to opener options, should you pick a Sixer or a Striker?