Big Bash League expert Sam Landsberger reveals his starting team for SuperCoach BBL
Herald Sun Big Bash League expert Sam Landsberger has locked in his starting SuperCoach BBL team, preferring to look for value than spend big. Has Sam found the right mix for Round 1?
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Do you load up on the big guns or spread your wealth evenly?
Herald Sun Big Bash League expert Sam Landsberger toyed with both tactics before locking in his SuperCoach BBL team for BBL09.
Landsberger has avoided premium picks Marcus Stoinis ($278,900), D’Arcy Short ($262,800) and Kane Richardson ($214,300), preferring to spend big on stars with a double game week in Round 1 or who could be captain in a tricky Round 2.
Axed Test batsman Usman Khawaja ($198,500) is the most expensive player in Landsberger’s squad, but with six players on a double game week complemented by guns including Glenn Maxwell, Dale Steyn, Shaun Marsh and Qais Ahmad, his team has the potential to get off to a flying start.
SAM LANDSBERGER’S SUPERCOACH BBL TEAM
BATSMEN
Usman Khawaja (Sydney Thunder) $198,500, BAT
Khawaja has been a dominant player in the BBL when available. Hard to forget his heroics late in the 2015-16 Big Bash League when he willed Sydney Thunder to the title with 345 runs in four innings at 172.5. Definite Round 1 captaincy material.
Glenn Maxwell (Melbourne Stars) $175,100, BAT-BWL
Maxwell is more than $100,000 cheaper than Stoinis yet almost as likely to win a game off his own bat, with the ball or in the field.
Chris Lynn (Brisbane Heat) $173,000 BAT
How many players can make 90 off 30 balls in world cricket, as he did in a T10 a few days ago? Lynn could really hurt those who don’t pick him in a Round 1 double.
Shaun Marsh (Melbourne Renegades) $147,700 BAT
Marsh has the best average (49.5) of any player with more than 1000 BBL runs and won’t have the uncertainty of Test selection to worry about. Almost certain to open with Aaron Finch under the Marvel Stadium roof.
Callum Ferguson (Sydney Thunder) $134,600 BAT
Almost impossible to ignore the recent form Ferguson has been in. Ferguson has 127 and 122 in his past two knocks in the Marsh Cup and passed Darren Lehmann as South Australia’s No. 1 scorer during his recent ton against Victoria.
Bench
Matt Short (Adelaide Strikers) $73,800 BAT
Jake Fraser-McGurk (Melbourne Renegades) $42,000 BAT-BWL
WICKETKEEPERS
Tom Banton (Brisbane Heat) $125,000 WKP-BAT
How often can you get an international with prodigious talent at this price? England’s young cricketer of the year has the power and freakish ability to translate his English form to the BBL.
Bench
James Peirson (Brisbane Heat) $62,000 WKP-BAT
BOWLERS
Sean Abbott (Sydney Sixers) $195,300 BWL
Premium money for a proven premium scorer in SuperCoach BBL. Abbott’s record in the BBL is as good as any bowler in recent summers.
Dale Steyn (Melbourne Stars) $169,000 BWL
How could you leave out a paceman with Steyn’s international record? Paired with Sandeep Lamichanne, he’ll have batsmen on their toes during a short stint with the Stars.
Qais Ahmad (Hobart Hurricanes) $148,600 BWL
Leg-spinner Ahmad showed his ability in three games with the Hurricanes last season, taking seven wickets. It’s a bonus Hobart doesn’t have a bye.
Chris Green (Sydney Thunder) $140,600 BWL
Green recently signed a long-term deal to stick with the Thunder and has amassed 75 T20s worth of experience at age 26. He could be primed for a big summer.
Harry Gurney (Melbourne Renegades) $130,100 BWL
Gurney only spent half of BBL08 with the Renegades but impressed enough to win a return invite. He’s a hugely experienced campaigner who plays T20 cricket around the world and is tough to get away.
Bench
Cameron Green (Perth Scorchers) $42,000 BWL
Harry Conway (Adelaide Strikers) $42,000 BWL
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