KFC SuperCoach BBL: Dan Batten’s team and unique picks to set your side apart

Dan Batten likes to play things differently when it comes to KFC SuperCoach and his BBL team is no different. See his side which features a number of surprising selections.

Doubles are the order of the day in KFC SuperCoach and the selection strategy at Batten for Glory is no exception.

Whether that be the Double Tender Burger, the limited-edition Double… sorry, that is what fuels the selection committee.

Of course, I mean double-game rounds, with Melbourne Stars (Round 1), Hobart Hurricanes (Round 2) and Adelaide Strikers (Round 2 & 3) players firmly in the sights of coaches.

Six of my 16 players don the purple snapback - an effort that ‘Canes superfan Jacob Bevis would be proud of – while five Stars will have the double first-up.

However, I have left out one popular Stars gun which could come back to bite me.

The Strikers’ Round 1 bye complicates matters for coaches. I have stashed two cheap options on the bench to be unleashed for their back-to-back doubles and have thrown some point-of-difference picks into the mix.

The ONLY place to watch every single match of India’s Tour of Australia is on Fox Cricket, available on Kayo. New to Kayo? Get your free trial now & start streaming instantly >

All going well, I will trade out a trio of Stars for the likes of T20 spin king Rashid Khan, new Strikers signing Danny Briggs after Round 1.

But rarely is KFC SuperCoach that simple.

Check out Dan Batten’s starting side for BBL10.

Peter Handscomb provides plenty of KFC SuperCoach value at the Hurricanes. Picture: Daniel Kalisz/Getty Images

WICKETKEEPERS

Peter Handscomb (Hurricanes) $97,600, WKP/BAT

BENCH: Baxter Holt (Thunder) $42,000, WKP/BAT

Hurricanes recruit Handscomb will be sitting in most teams across the opening week with their double in Round 2. As will Thunder signing Holt, who has come from the clouds as a discount captaincy loophole option – Holt is likely to be stuck in the queue behind Sam Billings and Matthew Gilkes and the Thunder play in the third game of each of the first three rounds. Still tossing up between my current set-up and fielding one of the Stars’ $62,500 keepers - Ben Dunk or Seb Gotch - for their opening round double, particularly Dunk after his red-hot Pakistan Super League form in 2020. This would force changes across the board to find $20,000 to upgrade Holt.

BATSMEN

D’Arcy Short (Hurricanes) $245,200, BAT/BWL

Glenn Maxwell (Stars) $185,000, BAT/BWL

Will Jacks (Hurricanes) $148,000, BAT/BWL

Colin Ingram (Hurricanes) $125,000, BAT

Hilton Cartwright (Stars) $115,400, BAT

BENCH: Jake Weatherald (Strikers) $122,500, BAT

Mitch Owens (Hurricanes) $42,500, BAT/BWL

Is Hilton Cartwright being overlooked in KFC SuperCoach BBL? Picture: Dave Hunt/AAP

We have an eye to Round 2 in the batting line-up with four Hurricanes and one Strikers player. Short and Maxwell pick themselves with doubles in the opening two rounds. Exciting all-rounder Jacks could be anything in his first BBL season and this may be the cheapest price we can snaffle him up for. Ingram’s time in BBL10 will be short and sweet as a replacement for T20 star Dawid Malan, but we will only need the South African’s crisp hitting for the first couple of rounds. Cartwright’s stellar finish to BBL09 as an opener makes him a value pick with promising upside if he remains in the same role for the Stars’ Round 1 double. Jake Weatherald is in a similar boat for the Strikers, having the potential to produce big returns up the order. The selection of Owens is subject to change once we get an indication of Round 1 team announcements.

BOWLERS

Marcus Stoinis (Stars) $185,700, BWL/BAT

Ben Cutting (Thunder) $153,500, BWL/BAT

Nathan Coulter-Nile (Stars) $138,600, BWL

Zahir Khan (Stars) $129,900, BWL

Nathan Ellis (Hurricanes) $113,000, BWL

BENCH: Daniel Worrall (Strikers) $92,900, BWL

Noor Ahmad (Renegades) $62,500, BWL

Nathan Ellis has taken 12 wickets in the opening four rounds of the Sheffield Shield. Picture: Zak Simmonds

It is impossible to ignore Stoinis following his stunning Indian Premier League exploits and is an absolute lock with the Stars’ double. Coulter-Nile’s ceiling makes him an attractive option and he should also get opportunities with both bat and ball. New Stars signing Khan was locked in from the moment he entered the game of SuperCoach BBL with two bites of the cherry first up – I also cannot resist the alure of Afghanistan spinners, hence why 15-year-old spinner Ahmad has also got the nod. The notable absentee from the Stars camp is Zampa, who I have left out largely due to my tight salary cap. I also have concerns about fielding six Stars with their Round 3 bye looming. Cutting is expensive but I expect him to have enhanced responsibility in an underwhelming Thunder side and is one I will look to carry through the season. The Round 2 double adds to the appeal of Ellis after a breakout BBL09 campaign and I have opted to take the punt on ex-Star-Worrall, who made headlines on BBL Trade Radio after his direct swap with Billy Stanlake. Funnily enough, I have considered replacing Worrall with Stanlake, but there is a reason why he is priced at $75,400 coming off a poor BBL09 season.

MORE EXPERT TEAM:

Tim Michell reveals his KFC SuperCoach BBL team for BBL10

KFC SuperCoach BBL: The Phantom’s team revealed

Tom Sangster reveals his KFC SuperCoach BBL team for BBL10

Isa Guha reveals her KFC SuperCoach BBL team for BBL10

Unique picks to set your SuperCoach BBL team apart

We are closing in on the beginning of the Big Bash and some interesting ownership trends are emerging in KFC SuperCoach BBL.

Many popular names who are unavailable for the beginning of the season are being pounced on, while others who have thrived in Twenty20 competitions around the world are flying under the radar.

Check out our best point-of-difference picks who are being ignored, and the head-scratchers who you must punt before Round 1 lockout.

Tom Curran is a top KFC SuperCoach performer — but he can’t score points from South Africa.

Head-scratchers

*Ownership stats current as of November 19.

Will Pucovski (BAT, $42,500) | Melbourne Stars | Ownership (%): 35.3

Pucovski has set tongues wagging after his outstanding batting feats in the Sheffield Shield. It has him in the box seat for a Test debut in Australia’s series-opener against India, which is just six days after the Stars’ first Big Bash game. Uncertainty surrounds the BBL availability of those in the Test squad and even if he can play BBL, they may opt to give him an uninterrupted preparation. However, it goes without saying that Pucovski is a must-have if selected for the Stars in Round 1. While Cameron Green ($62,500, 36 per cent ownership) is less likely to be given the nod, he is in a similar boat.

Tom Curran ($204,700, BAT/BWL) | Sydney Sixers | Ownership (%): 32.8

Despite being a mainstay in BBL SuperCoach teams across the past two seasons, 34 per cent of coaches are advised to trade Curran – unless you want a Round 1 donut. The all-rounder has been picked for England’s white-ball tour of South Africa, which finishes a day before the Sixers’ season-opener against the Hurricanes. Look to pick him up as soon as he returns to the Sixers’ camp.

Rashid Khan (BWL, $192,300) | Adelaide Strikers | Ownership (%) 32.2

Opposition sides are bound to get a leg-up on those who fork out $192,300 for a player with a Round 1 bye. While it is a clever strategy to have some Strikers on the bench considering they have two double game rounds in succession, looking cheaper than Khan shapes as the best move. Coming off 20 wickets in the Indian Premier League and recording the best economy (5.37) in the tournament, Khan becomes trade target number one coming off the bye.

Dan Christian ($105,000, BAT/BWL) | Sydney Sixers | Ownership (%) 23.2

Christian will likely receive greater bowling opportunity at the Sixers, particularly early on while Mitchell Starc and Tom Curran are on international duties, but his BBL09 record was underwhelming at best. The 37-year-old frustrated owners, producing an average of 24.9 points across the first eight rounds for the Renegades. While he presents value, will the veteran have enough impact with bat and ball?

Matthew Wade will likely be with the Test team until mid-January.

Matthew Wade ($181,000, BAT/WKP) | Hobart Hurricanes | Ownership (%): 16.5

Yes, the Hurricanes have the double in Round 2, but Wade may not be donning the purple for a while. Wade has the number six spot in the Test side – barring a shake-up of the batting order – and we are unsure if he will be able to return to the Big Bash regardless. You want more certainty when forking out $181,000.

Marnus Labuschagne ($64,400, BAT/BWL) | Brisbane Heat | Ownership (%): 15.6

Marnus will be doing what he does best against Jasprit Bumrah and his Indian counterparts all summer. Could be a nice cheapie to finish the season.

There are injury doubts over Perth Scorchers skipper Mitch Marsh.

Mitch Marsh ($164,000, BAT/BWL) | Perth Scorchers | Ownership (%): 15.8

Marsh suffered a syndesmosis injury during the IPL and is in a race against time to be fit for the beginning of BBL10. It is unknown when he will back in the Scorchers outfit and coach Adam Voges has indicated he will return as a batter-only until he builds fitness. Even if he does manage to play in Round 1, it is a hefty price to pay for a player lacking match fitness who’s likely to bat at number four.

Liam Livingstone ($166,000, BAT/BWL) | Perth Scorchers | Ownership (%): 11.9

Like Curran, Livingstone is on the plane to South Africa and has been picked in both the T20 and ODI squads. The Englishman finished BBL09 with a bang and will certainly enter calculations once he is in the Scorchers’ XI.

Jonny Bairstow is a star, but he won’t play in the BBL until after Christmas.

Jonny Bairstow ($175,000, BAT/WKP) | Melbourne Stars | Ownership (%): 12.1

Perhaps the most high-profile recruit of BBL10, the Stars have declared that they don’t expect Bairstow to feature until after Christmas. Keep that in mind when preparing your trades for rounds 4-5.

Sean Abbott ($219,700, BWL) | Sydney Sixers | Ownership (%): 11.5

Abbott received a Test squad berth after a stellar run of Sheffield Shield form with both bat and ball. He is unlikely to earn a baggy green unless injury strikes, but until his availability is confirmed, leave the pricey paceman out. He could well be playing for Australia A against in during Round 1.

Undervalued

Will Jacks ($148,00, BAT/BWL) | Hobart Hurricanes | Ownership (%): 5.9

The ownership of Jacks is sure to rise after being signed by the Hurricanes last week — he might just be the most popular player in BBL SuperCoach once coaches catch a glimpse of him. Jacks has the hitting power of fellow Englishman Tom Banton and is also a crafty spinner. The all-rounder was named player of the tournament in the England’s Vitality Blast after smashing 309 runs at a strike rate of 149, all while claiming 13 scalps at 16.07 with an economy of 6.46. Did we mention he clubbed a century off just 25 deliveries in a practice match in Dubai? The 21-year-old is a must-have considering the Hurricanes’ Round 2 double and he will be licking his lips at the prospect of clearing the short boundaries in Bellerive Oval.

Where’s the love for Nathan Coulter-Nile, who has a Round 1 double?

Nathan Coulter-Nile ($138,600, BWL) | Melbourne Stars | Ownership (%): 15.7

Coulter-Nile has a double game round to start the season and proved he can be a threat with the bat as well as the ball last season. Used as a powerplay big-hitter and providing fireworks late in the innings, Coulter-Nile is a player who can produce a great return for his price in Round 1. He is coming off a strong finish to the IPL, taking 2-29 in the final. It is worth noting he amassed 140 points in one of his double game rounds last year.

Colin Ingram ($125,000, BAT) | Hobart Hurricanes | Ownership (%): 3.2

Ingram has been parachuted into the Hurricanes line-up to replace Dawid Malan, who will not feature until after Christmas. It means coaches can grab the experienced South African for Hobart’s Round 2 double. Ingram has posted 610 runs at a strike rate of 139 across 25 BBL games.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman is the world’s second-ranked T20 bowler.

Mujeeb Ur Rahman ($105,900) | Brisbane Heat | Ownership (%): 8.6

The opportunity to grab the second-ranked T20 bowler in the world at this price should not be sniffed at. Ur Rahman has gone at 6.09 runs per over across his 18 BBL matches and taken 15 wickets. He’s a bowler who racks up dot balls and economy rate bonuses for fun and could have greater responsibility if Heat leg-spinner Mitch Swepson isn’t released from the Test squad.

Noor Ahmad ($62,500, BWL) | Melbourne Renegades | Ownership (%): 8.8

Rashid Khan, Mujeeb Ur Rahman, Qais Ahmad and now Noor Ahmad. The 15-year-old (yes, 15!) left-arm wrist spinner is the latest Afghan tweaker to burst onto the T20 scene, signed by the Renegades after taking 19 wickets across 15 T20s. He will fill the void of South African spinner Imran Tahir until late December and is an underrated cheapie who could take the BBL by storm, as his compatriots have before him.

Chris Green ($107,900, BWL) | Sydney Thunder | Ownership (%): 6.4

Remember this guy? Green sat out the majority of BBL09 after copping a three-month ban in all Cricket Australia competitions for an illegal bowling action. Since having his action cleared, Green impressed in the Caribbean Premier League with nine wickets while going at an economical 5.68 runs per over. His tidy bowling gives him appeal at his discount price, often opening the bowling for the Thunder, and he is handy with the stick down the order.

Josh Lalor always seems to fly under the radar in KFC SuperCoach BBL.

Josh Lalor ($134,300, BWL) | Melbourne Renegades | Ownership (%): 0.9

Lalor always seems to fly under the radar in KFC BBL SuperCoach despite being a consistent wicket-taker. He joins the Renegades, where he and Kane Richardson will form a formidable pace duo until James Pattinson returns. Lalor is in less than 1 per cent of teams and could be a surprise packet in new colours.

Rilee Rossouw ($160,000, BAT) | Melbourne Renegades | Ownership (%): 1.2

The South African international set the Pakistan Super League alight earlier in the year, blasting a 44-ball century and scoring 212 runs at a strike rate of 142. He is one of the leading all-time run scorers in both the PSL and Bangladesh Premier League and will join the Renegades for the entire season. He should bat in the top three and his career strike rate of 136 makes him a nice point-of-difference pick.

Can Ben Dunk recapture the heights which saw him as one of the BBL’s most-feared batsmen?

Ben Dunk ($62,500, WKP/BAT) | Melbourne Stars | Ownership (%): 13.4

Has looked to be past his prime in recent BBL seasons but turned back the clock with 289 runs at a blistering strike rate of 179.8 in the Pakistan Super League. The Stars’ double game round to begin could see Dunk provide serious value for money, especially if he is bumped up the order on the back of his PSL heroics. A choice between Dunk and teammate Seb Gotch ($62,500) as wicketkeeper seems likely for Round 1.

MORE KFC SUPERCOACH BBL:

KFC SuperCoach Plus Article: The Phantom’s November BBL power rankings and all the early mail

Brisbane Heat BBL10 preview: KFC SuperCoach best buys rated

SuperCoach Plus Article: The Phantom’s KFC SuperCoach BBL power rankings

Al Paton’s KFC SuperCoach BBL beginner’s guide and expert team

KFC SuperCoach BBL champion Tom Aitken reveals his hints for BBL10

KFC SuperCoach BBL: Which players to pick and what the fixture means for your team

Originally published as KFC SuperCoach BBL: Dan Batten’s team and unique picks to set your side apart