SuperCoach BBL: Australian Test stars and other top trade targets for round 8
The Aussie Test stars are flocking back to the BBL just in time to influence the SuperCoach BBL run home — here’s who you should target for round 8.
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The boys are back in town — for a limited time.
Australia’s Test stars appear set for a welcome cameo in BBL13 after two four-day finishes in their last two Tests against Pakistan.
David Warner is due to play the remainder of the season for Sydney Thunder — including the round 9 double — after calling time on his Test career.
But SuperCoaches are eagerly awaiting news on how many games his Test teammates including Mitch Marsh, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne may be released for.
At this stage, it has been confirmed Alex Carey played his only game of BBL13 in round 7, while Labuschagne and Khawaja snuck in a match in round 8 but are now unllikely to feature again.
Australia’s first Test against the West Indies starts on January 17, giving players an 11-day break between the final day at the SCG and the start of the Adelaide Test.
BBL bosses will no doubt be as keen as SuperCoaches to see the Test players in BBL13 — but after a gruelling ODI World Cup their appearances are likely to be fleeting.
Stay tuned for any news on the Aussies, who will be hot property for SuperCoach BBL round 8 if available — especially with no team having a double.
MITCH MARSH $197,300 BAT-BWL (AVAILABILITY TBC)
The Bison is no certainty to be released to the Scorchers — even for a one-off appearance — after getting through a big workload against Pakistan. Marsh was the leading run scorer in the Test series with 344, faced 478 balls across five innings (ranked third for Australia) and bowled 21 overs. Perth might be keen to throw Marsh into the mix, even for a one-off game, as its round 8 match against Brisbane Heat could determine who finishes on top of the table. Marsh has scored 119, 84 and 99 KFC SuperCoach points in his last three games against the Heat too. He also averaged 106.2 points in six rounds two seasons ago, including scores of 203 and 165.
STEVE SMITH $275,600 BAT (WILL PLAY IN ROUND 8)
Forget the debate about whether he’s opening against the West Indies or not. What we’re interested in is Smith’s most recent BBL performances. He featured five times in magenta last summer, blitzing the Big Bash with 346 runs at an average of 86.5. Smith belted 101 from 56 balls in Coffs Harbour against the Strikers and 66 from 33 against the Hurricanes, fast becoming one of the great POD picks of BBL12 in SuperCoach. Finding the money to bring him in won’t be easy, but Smith’s BBL record suggests he’ll make any sacrifice worthwhile.
USMAN KHAWAJA $131,100 BAT (UNLIKELY FOR ROUND 8)
Heat skipper Khawaja was back in the BBL in round 7 and may sneak in another game on January 13 before heading to Adelaide. He averaged 20.2 points from five rounds last season and shouldn’t be one of your trade priorities when his now former opening partner Warner is cheaper and has a round 9 double. You’d be better taking a risk on a Thunder batter like Alex Hales, Tom Kohler-Cadmore or Ollie Davies to be ready for the last round double.
MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE $127,600 BAT (UNLIKELY FOR ROUND 8)
See the above notes on Khawaja. Everyone loves seeing the best Aussie players in the BBL, but Marnus is unlikely to be worth targeting in SuperCoach for a one-off appearance. It’s also worth noting he may not feature in round 8, so you’d be sweating on his availability with little time to manoeuvre if you found out he wasn’t playing. There would also be limited options to update your trade come Saturday as two round 8 matches will have been played.
DAVID WARNER $125,000 BAT (AVAILABLE FOR ROUNDS 8 AND 9)
The retired Test opener is hoping to make his BBL return in the Sydney smash – pending a helicopter flight from his brother’s wedding on the same day. Warner only averaged 14.6 points a round in BBL12, scoring 99 runs in six innings at an average of 19.8. This season Warner will only be available for three matches during the SuperCoach BBL run home. He is due to take on the Sixers before matches against the Strikers and Renegades during the Thunder’s round 9 double. If Warner doesn’t make the Sydney Smash on time, factor him in as part of your round 9 trade plans. The expectation will be that he opens with Alex Hales and Cameron Bancroft shuffles to No.3.
OTHER KEY TARGETS
DANIEL SAMS
A team-low score of three points in round 7 ensured Sams’ price didn’t head any further north ahead of a round where he looms as one of the must-have players. In a round where no teams are in the double, most SuperCoaches will target all-rounders with high ceilings and prominent roles such as Sams. A longtime SuperCoach BBL favourite, Sams hasn’t been at his best this season yet was still averaging 73.2 points after round 6. He showcased his enormous scoring potential when he posted 155, 137, 35 and 63 in successive games from rounds 3-5. Find the money to make this trade happen.
PAUL WALTER
The big Englishman known as ‘Tall Paul’ is much more than a BBL cult hero. Walter has become a crucial part of Brisbane Heat’s bowling line-up and showed how adept he is bowling the death overs to secure a victory over Hobart Hurricanes in round 7. Walter is a big hitter who has reached the strike rate threshold of 20 runs in three of his past four innings, including on the last ball he faced against Sydney Sixers. He has also taken at least two wickets in four of his past five matches.
JAMIE OVERTON
The English all-rounder has been one of the best-performed imports in SuperCoach and heads into round 8 after a score of 123 points against Adelaide’s next opponent, Hobart. Overton has a dream role for SuperCoach scoring bowling four overs and batting at No.6. He was shuffled to seven when Alex Carey was available, but the Aussie Test keeper has made his only appearance of BBL13 and won’t feature in round 8. Overton has multiple wickets in four BBL13 games and a SuperCoach average of 72.1 — ranked fifth overall.
SEAN ABBOTT
The leading wicket-taker of all-time in the BBL hasn’t hit his straps yet this summer, dropping in price by more than $30k after scores of 35, 54, 37, 35 and 16. If you can forgive his last outing, Abbott’s floor of 35 points in the first six rounds was encouraging. Abbott has been one of the premier scorers in KFC SuperCoach in recent years, averaging 63.8, 70.8 and 54.3 points in the past three seasons. Abbott has averaged 75.3 points in his last three matches against cross-town rival Sydney Thunder too. It’s very rare he’s a POD at this time of year but Abbott was only in 7 per cent of teams as of round 7.
MARCUS STOINIS
Stoinis is finally showing signs of returning to his best — or close to — after several underwhelming BBL campaigns. He was brilliant against Adelaide Strikers on New Year’s Eve with an unbeaten 55 from 19 balls and backed up that effort with 34 from 30 balls against Sydney Sixers. Stoinis has also bowled in six of eight matches in BBL13 and although he only has one wicket, his return to being a regular part of the Stars’ bowling arsenal adds to his value. He might be the cut-price all-rounder you need at about $100k to help afford Sams or Smith.
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Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: Australian Test stars and other top trade targets for round 8
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