SuperCoach BBL: The 12 biggest ownership shocks assessed ahead of round 1

Who are the best unique picks in SuperCoach BBL? We’ve analysed the players flying under the radar and the popular picks you must avoid.

There’s no feeling in SuperCoach like finding a bargain hordes of other teams have missed.

But with four teams on the double and Brisbane Heat on the triple in round 1, it’s arguably harder than ever this summer.

We’ve analysed the ownership stats and come up with six of the best options with low ownership for your SuperCoach team and provided a warning on five popular players.

Don’t miss the chance to move them on before the first rolling lockout on Thursday.

South Africa's Quinton de Kock (C) celebrates after scoring a century at the ODI World Cup.

TOO HIGH

Quinton de Kock 32 per cent

Why? The South African superstar won’t feature in the BBL until December 21, missing both Renegades matches in round 1 while he finishes playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

OTHER OPTIONS: Tom Curran, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Jason Behrendorff, Ben Dwarshuis, Tom Rogers

Michael Neser* 35 per cent

Why? The Brisbane Heat seamer makes this list - but with an asterisk. Neser’s ownership remained above 30 per cent this week despite being named in the Prime Minister’s XI squad. But he has now withdrawn from that match citing soreness. The Heat said on Monday it would likely make a gameday call on whether Neser had recovered enough to play in the season opener against Melbourne Stars. If he misses, the thousands of coaches still carrying Neser will need to act fast.

OTHER OPTIONS: Tom Curran, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Jason Behrendorff, Ben Dwarshuis, Tom Rogers

Beau Webster 10 per cent

Why? The Melbourne Stars all-rounder is also in that PM’s XI squad. Expect him to play on January 13 against Perth Scorchers, but you’re better off targeting players who will feature in both games of the double.

OTHER OPTIONS: Tom Curran, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Jason Behrendorff, Ben Dwarshuis, Tom Rogers

Zak Crawley is in the West Indies with England. Picture: Ashley Allen/Getty Images

Zak Crawley 4 per cent

Why? Currentlyin the West Indies playing in an ODI series for England. Got 48 off 63 balls in the first game. The third ODI is on September 10 so factoring in travel, he’s a long shot to feature on December 13 against Melbourne Stars for his new franchise Perth Scorchers. December 20 against his former side Hobart seems a more realistic target.

OTHER OPTIONS: Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Sam Billings, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mujeeb ur Rahman

Rehan Ahmed 4 per cent

Why? He’s not coming to the BBL anymore. The leg-spinner was drafted by the Sixers but has been replaced by Izharulhaq Naveed after being selected for both legs of the West Indies white-ball tour. He’s also likely to tour India with England.

OTHER OPTIONS: Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Ben McDermott, Nic Maddinson

Xavier Bartlett is shaping as a unique round 1 pick from the Heat. Picture: Scott Powick

TOO LOW

Xavier Bartlett 5 per cent

Why? Heat are one of the most uncertain teams in round 1 after being robbed of four players by the PM’s XI. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will play in the season opener before Test duties. Then in the bowling stocks, Spencer Johnson hasn’t played since late September. If you’re looking for a bowler to vice-captain or captain for the Heat double, Bartlett is the man.

David Payne enjoys a wicket for Perth Scorchers. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

David Payne 1 per cent

Why? Strikers play twice in round 2 and he proved how effective he could be in the BBL while playing for Perth Scorchers. Averaged 64.3 in four matches as a Scorcher, which ranked fifth of players who featured in at least two BB12 games. There’s a vacancy for a death bowler after Peter Siddle’s departure and Payne is likely to fill it. By preparing for round 2, you will save yourself a trade?

Nic Maddinson 5 per cent

Why? The batting reshuffle at Melbourne Renegades is on ahead of round 1. Quinton de Kock has been ruled out and there’s doubts over whether Shaun Marsh will be fit. Even if Marsh does play, Maddinson is likely to be the man who shuffles to the top of the order to partner Joe Clarke. If Maddinson bowls too, he’s not going to be less than $90k for long.

Kane Richardson in action during The Hundred. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Kane Richardson 8 per cent

Why? Talk of a glute injury has scared a few SuperCoaches off, but the latest was that Richardson’s setback is only minor. If that’s the case, it will be a big sigh of relief for the Renegades and make him close to a must-have in SuperCoach. He’s only $143k and the Renegades play five times in the opening three rounds.

Jason Behrendorff 9 per cent

Why? He’s one of the form bowlers in Australia. The big left-armer has six wickets in four T20 matches against India and will enter the BBL all guns blazing. Jhye Richardson and Andrew Tye take a lot of the spotlight away from Behrendorff but he’s a consistent SuperCoach scorer. Last season he only dipped below 45 twice, which is a brilliant floor.

Glenn Maxwell 64 per cent

Why? He scored a double century and 40-ball ton at the World Cup and a 48-ball 104 against India in the T20 series. He’s the most-popular player in the game but at $118k with a round 1 double Maxwell should be in every team. What are the 36 per cent without him thinking?

Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: The 12 biggest ownership shocks assessed ahead of round 1