KFC SuperCoach BBL jury answers three key questions ahead of Round 1

The KFC SuperCoach jury is back for summer, answering the key questions ahead of the start of BBL10. Let them help you decide on your starting team.

The KFC SuperCoach jury has had their say on the key issues of Round 1.

The KFC SuperCoach jury is back for summer.

The jury of highly-ranked KFC SuperCoaches will have their say on some of the key issues during BBL10, starting with those to help select your starting team.

How many Strikers to start and which wicketkeeper to go with are two of the big calls of Round 1.

Here’s what the jury had to say on them and what the new BBL rules mean for KFC SuperCoach BBL.

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Dan Worrall is one of the few Strikers available for under $100k.

Will you be starting any Strikers in Round 1?

@honeyballbbl — expert fantasy website: Yes but probably only one. If you’re carrying any Strikers on their bye in Round 1, obviously they’ll be on your bench so it’s about how much you can afford. I’m looking at the cheaper Strikers options who I’m backing to be in their XI, chiefly Daniel Worrall ($92k), then trading in the more expensive ones. I’m planning on trading Adam Zampa ($184k) to Rashid Khan ($192k) for Round 2. You’re playing a dangerous game if you’re trying to carry Rashid in Round 1 but he’s essential for back-to-back double game rounds.

@hunterpunter_1 — KFC SuperCoach guru, top BBL rank #23: Probably. Looking at using them as a loophole player, as well as preparation for the Round 2 double. Phil Salt might be the one that I start. Doing so would allow me to have a look at Chris Lynn’s score on my bench and then bring on a player like Ashton Turner if Lynn doesn’t score well.

Rashid Khan will be a top trade target come Round 2.

@SC__Bandit — top-300 finisher in KFC SuperCoach BBL: Phil Salt is worth a look. He played some whirlwind innings for the Strikers opening the batting in BBL09 and I think that experience will prevent a slow start from him like we saw last season. I toyed with the idea of having the Afghan spin wizard Rashid Khan on my bench for Round 1, but you can’t have that much cash on the pine not scoring points. He’ll be the first player I trade in for Round 2.

@James_Stelz — previous top-100 KFC SuperCoach BBL finisher: I have Danny Briggs on my bench. I would only go with Strikers on the bench if you are convinced they will play. Players like Dan Worrall or Wes Agar could be great picks, but there is definitely some uncertainty as to whether they will be in the starting side.

@echallis (SuperCoach Mumma) — finished 54th in KFC SuperCoach BBL in BBL09: I will probably try and have at least one. I have had Matt Short and Dan Worrall in my draft team but have been going cold on them. I don’t want too much cash on the bench. I’m trying to have at least four Hurricanes players in my starting side to prepare for their DGW in Round 2, because I will have limited Strikers.

Peter Siddle was one of the topscoring Strikers last season.

@bricemitchell — KFC SuperCoach stats guru: It depends. I will possibly start two Strikers, but more likely none. It will ultimately depend on the scores from my emergency bench players in the first couple of games. If they score well, I will adjust my side, and bring in Strikers players to loophole those scores onto the field. That said, my general plan is to invest in players that are scoring points on-field in Round 1. Therefore, I will be favouring Hurricanes players in my starting side in preparation for their Round 2 double game week. I will target Strikers players in Rounds 2 and 3.

@Brooma_23 — KFC SuperCoach BBL runner-up, BBL09: I’ll be starting at least one Striker on the bench, possibly two. Phil Salt and Peter Siddle are top of my list. The early double game weeks are important to get you off to a good start and I’ll want at least four strikers in Round 2 along with some Hurricanes to maximise my scoring potential.

@azzajewell — Jock Reynolds KFC SuperCoach BBL expert: I have definitely been considering it, but I’m not losing sleep by not having one in my side. I think people tend to get carried away with the amount of double game week players they aim to have in their side. Having too many can often be a hindrance to cash generation and missing out on players in form. I’ve instead focused on having Hurricanes players in my side over Strikers, and will then look to trade out three Stars players to three Strikers to maximise my scoring potential in Round 2.

How do the new BBL rules (power surge, sub player) impact your plans?

@honeyballbbl: The impact of the power surge is really hard to know at this stage, as it depends how teams apply it tactically. There’s been talk batting teams will take it for the 19th and 20th overs, which may impact the cheap wickets and economy rates that death bowlers get. It will have some impact on openers’ strike rates as the power play will be shortened and the power surge must be taken after the 11th over. My advice, watch this space in Round 1. The X-Factor sub player has more obvious repercussions, as it’ll affect loophole options given 12, not 11, players can play. I’ll ensure anyone I’m using to loophole isn’t in the 13-man squad! In saying that, I’m actually not confident it’ll be used much.

@hunterpunter_1: I will probably focus on getting players who have a locked in role in their team.

@SC__Bandit: At this stage, not a lot. It’s hard to know how teams will use the new rules until we see them in action. What the X-factor rule will do is force SuperCoaches to choose frontline bowlers and top-order batters. Because if, for example, you pick a bowler who gets smacked in their first over, they’re every chance to be subbed if they’re not being relied on to bowl four overs. Similarly, if the team batting first starts well, the fielding team may choose to swap a middle/lower order batter for an extra bowler.

@James_Stelz: We can’t be sure some teams will use their substitutes unless they are very confident in their back-up bowler, for example. The team that this would probably affect the most would be the Sixers given the depth in bowling they have. The power surge is an intriguing addition but I wouldn’t radically change my team based on these rules. Just stick with top-order batters, all-rounders and good quality bowlers.

Umpires will have plenty to consider in the BBL this season with the new rules in place.

@echallis: It has made me question the fringe players, especially bowlers who could easily get subbed off because of one poor over — Billy Stanlake anyone? I currently don’t have Glenn Maxwell and feel that the changes could suit him. Maybe I will be more likely to pick captains as surely they wouldn’t get subbed?

@bricemitchell: It is still unclear how each team will use the new BBL rules and what that means for KFC SuperCoach. So, at this stage, my starting selections have not yet been influenced by these rules.

@Brooma_23: It’s hard to know how these rules could impact KFC SuperCoach without seeing them in play. I’ll stick to players I know have a good role and are no chance of getting subbed off. Those fringe players are worth avoiding even more now and if picking a non scoring option on the bench to loop scores with, making sure they are not likely to be in the 13 and therefore no risk to get subbed on and mess up a potential looping opportunity.

@azzajewell: Only slightly. We’re still yet to understand how teams will tackle these new rules, especially how teams will look at the Bash Boost and when teams will take the power surge. But in both instances, those two rules will favour batsman with known higher strike rates, like Glenn Maxwell, Ben Cutting, Ben McDermott and Rashid Khan who can take the game on and chase down a target to get that bash boost and maximise the usage of the power surge. As for the new sub rule, just think twice about picking fringe players (Stanlake, Worrall, Wildermuth etc) now as they’ll likely be the prime sub candidates.

Ben McDermott is a cheap wicketkeeping option with an early double.

Who’s your Round 1 wicketkeeper going to be and why?

@honeyballbbl: Tough one as there’s a few moving parts, namely Stars import Nicholas Pooran’s ($175k) availability for their first-up double game round. Ideally, Pooran plays Round 1 and then you can move him smoothly to Alex Carey for Adelaide’s back-to-back double game rounds. If not, Peter Handscomb ($97k) or Ben McDermott ($89k) are both good value, with a double game round in Round 2, but their roles aren’t as clear. If Hobart confirms either are batting high up the order prior to Round 1, lock them in. Long-term I like Josh Inglis ($161k) given role, form and availability.

@hunterpunter_1: Still not 100 per cent sure. Ben McDermott might be that player if his touted move to the top of the order eventuates. Peter Handscomb also another option. Both of these could be put on the bench and if they score well, a move for Alex Carey could be made in preparation for the double and to loop their score on.

@SC__Bandit: Josh Phillipe gets the nod. He’s a star on the rise and I expect him to go to a new level this summer. He finished BBL09 with a flurry, scoring 199 runs from his last four innings at a very impressive strike rate of 141.7. He’s gained some valuable experience in the Indian Premier League with Royal Challengers Bangalore, learning from the likes of Kohli, de Villiers and Finch which can only help his development. He’s also the only recognised wicketkeeper in the Sixers’ squad, so he’ll definitely take the gloves and hopefully some dismissals.

Josh Philippe showed his star qualities last season for the Sixers.

@James_Stelz: With Pooran and Bairstow not expected to be available for the double and Carey having a bye I am currently selecting Inglis. He’s been in great form in Shield cricket which surprisingly translates well to the BBL and he should open given Jason Roy and Liam Livingstone will be unavailable early on in the competition. McDermott would be tempting but I believe he will bat too low.

@echallis: Josh Philippe ($150K) seems a safe ‘set and forget’ pick and he doesn’t have a bye this season. He should be opening the batting and is in good form however with my current line-up it is a struggle to fit him in. My attention goes to the Stars, however minus Pooran the other choices are not inspiring. If Pooran was named I would be restructuring my team. Dunk ($62K) and Gotch ($62K) are cheap, but for good reason. I am considering either Handscomb ($97k) or McDermott ($89.7k) who could bat top four and have the DGW in Round 2.

Nicholas Pooran is unlikely to join Melbourne Stars in time for Round 1.

@bricemitchell: With limited premium WK options available, I will be running with the set-and-forget option of Josh Philippe ($150K), who will open for the Sixers and will only get better after a breakout season in BBL09. Other options I’ve considered that have a DGW in the first 3 rounds (Dunk, Gotch, Handscomb, McDermott), do not have a solid spot at the top of the order in their respective sides.

@Brooma_23: Should McDermott bats in the top four if a couple of Hurricanes are unavailable then he will probably be my keeper. Good price with a Round 2 double. Pooran is the other im looking at if available for Round 1 but is a big price and being an international batsman in his first BBL, there is the risk he takes a couple games to adjust. Sam Harper is a cheaper alternative to Philippe and Inglis if opening and has a similar scoring potential. All three have solid SuperCoach claims if opening. Gilkes at $62.5k is worth a look if he bats top 4 with no Sam Billings early.

@azzajewell: I look at the wicketkeeping line in BBL SC much like the ruck line in AFL SC. Josh Phillipe is the Brodie Grundy of the BBL, you can “set and forget” him and be quite happy carrying him through the entire season without worrying about a trade. But I’m always chasing value, so at the moment Nic Naitanui, I mean Ben McDermott, is my wicketkeeper. Batted most of last season at 3 or 4, and should do so again behind Short, Jacks and Ingram. Gives him plenty of opportunity to score, and the new rules suit him very well which should see his price rise allowing me to watch how the premiums start the season and target any players that immediately fall.

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