SuperCoach BBL round 7 trade guide: Best targets, expert advice, fixtures

One SuperCoach will be $25,000 richer in less than two weeks as the race for the SuperCoach BBL grand prize heats up. Here are our expert tips on who you must target for round 7.

Like Sam Konstas ramping Jasprit Bumrah in front of a packed MCG on Boxing Day, the SuperCoach BBL season is about to go into overdrive.

There are only 12 games left in the BBL14 regular season until a new SuperCoach BBL champion is crowed and wins the $25,000 major prize.

There are no doubles in two of those rounds, while Hobart plays twice in round 8.

So from here, it’s all about getting the best scorers into your team, loading up on all-rounders and charging for the finish line.

Here are the our top targets for round 7.

Michael Neser made a strong return to the Heat side.

Michael Neser

There was no rust as Neser returned to the BBL after being sidelined by injury for about two months with a hamstring injury. He finished with 2-25 against the Thunder. The Heat only named five bowlers too, leaving out Paul Walter. Neser could be one of the top point scorers of the remaining three rounds.

Spencer Johnson

The big left-armer was troubled by a toe issue early in the tournament but has shown no signs of that ailment since returning. He has a huge points ceiling and has only scored less than 51 points once, taking eight wickets in four BBL14 games.

Will Sutherland starred with 166 SuperCoach points in round 6.

Will Sutherland

If you were one of about 200 coaches who traded the Renegades captain before his 166 last round, I’m sorry for rubbing salt into the wound. Sutherland was incredibly stiff not to be named man of the match after scoring 70 and taking two key wickets against Perth. He managed to smash his 131 break even and will likely cost $150-155k.

Jhye Richardson

Jhye just finds a way to score SuperCoach points. Like a few of his teammates he wasn’t at his absolute best against the Renegades and still scored 71 points after picking up another wicket in the surge. He’s got three scores of 71 or better in four games in BBL14.

Sean Abbott

If you want a point of difference with a proven SuperCoach pedigree, Abbott is your man. The leading wicket taker of all time only featured in 9 per cent of teams in round 6 after spending several weeks with the Test side. Abbott has averaged 54 points a game or more in three of the last four seasons.

Jaoson Behrendorff has been one of the best-performed bowlers in BBL14.

Jason Behrendorff

The big left-armer from Perth is enjoying one of the best seasons of a decorated BBL career. A threat with the new ball and at the death, Benhrendorff sits second on the wicket-takers table with 12 and has only conceded 6.53 runs an over this tournament. All that adds up to big SuperCoach scores.

Jamie Overton

The English all-rounder is the frontrunner to be the No. 1 point scorer in SuperCoach this summer with only one score below 60 so far. He’s been huge for the Strikers with bat and ball, making 156 runs and taking nine wickets. He’s due to miss round 9 for England white-ball duties. Almost 10,000 teams traded Overton in round 6 during the Strikers bye.

Chris Jordan

Probably worth waiting another round for after a low score in round 5 which halted his cash generation. But the veteran English quick will be a popular choice for Hobart’s round 8 double with a prime role bowling important overs, batting at No. 7 and fielding in key spots. If you’ve got other targets in mind for the Hurricanes double, grab Jordan this round.

Nikhik Chaudhary is playing an important role for the high-flying Hurricanes.

Nikhil Chaudhary

The Hobart all-rounder has bowled at least two overs in each of his side’s last three matches and has been batting in the top five. If he was guaranteed that extra over to be eligible for the economy rate bonus, Chaudhary would be a must-have for the Hurricanes double in round 8. He might pick up some extra bowling due to Waqar Salamkheil departing, but you can wait a week and bring him in for round 8 if you want to make sure that’s the case. Just be prepared to pay a bit more than others have.

Sam Konstas

The new buzz batter of Aussie Test cricket made a name for himself ramping Jasprit Bumrah in Test cricket. But it’s only a few weeks since Konstas scored the fastest 50 in Thunder history on BBL debut. He’s still very affordable after starting the season at $39k and only experiencing two price rises before being called into the Test side. A perfect cheapie with huge upside if his unconventional style comes off.

Glenn Maxwell

While we’d like to have seen him bowling more in recent matches, there’s no denying the huge points ceiling Maxwell has. At his swashbuckling best he’s a lock for the strike rate bonus, dynamic in he field and normally a chance for a wicket or two. He could produce the type of score Sutherland did last round to rocket you up the ranks and is well priced.

Dan Christian made an impressive return to the BBL with Sydney Thunder at 41 years of age.

Dan Christian

It was hard not to love everything about Dan Christian’s return to the BBL at the age of 41 — including his SuperCoach score. He delivered a trademark quick 20, some strike rate bonus and chipped in with the wicket of Nathan McSweeney to score 83 points. His long-term job security might not be great, with Daniel Sams to return and some international signings close. But if you want a quick cash grab, DC is your man.

TIM’S TOP TRADE TARGETS

1. Michael Neser

2. Jhye Richardson

3. Jamie Overton

4. Nikhil Chaudhary

5. Sean Abbott

Originally published as SuperCoach BBL round 7 trade guide: Best targets, expert advice, fixtures