SuperCoach BBL trade guide: Why we need more Renegades for Round 5
After a short turnaround the Round 5 SuperCoach BBL trade window opens on Wednesday night. Melbourne Renegades stars are top of the wish list as we help navigate the best trade tactics.
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There are many factors to be considered when planning your Supercoach BBL trades.
Form, double game weeks and price changes should be weighed up when plotting the moves which will define your campaign.
The coaches who dive deeper into the statistics and assess factors such as match venues are often the ones who prosper.
After four rounds, we had enough evidence to suggest the pitches at Adelaide Oval and Hobart will favour batsmen, while Marvel Stadium will be a bowler’s paradise throughout BBL08.
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The highest score in the opening three rounds at Docklands was 7-132 and a wicket fell there on average for every 14 runs.
That should put players such as Jack Wildermuth, Usman Khan Shinwari and Kane Richardson in your thinking as the Melbourne Renegades approach their Round 6 double.
Only one match has been played at Perth Stadium, when the Scorchers skittled Adelaide Strikers for 88 on a pitch which favoured their formidable pace battery.
Keep in mind the Scorchers play five games on their home deck between January 5 and 28 when making your trades.
You’d be well served holding the likes of Jason Behrendorff and Jhye Richardson.
However, owners of Andrew Tye, who started the BBL season as one of the game’s most expensive players, can punt him with confidence.
Perth captain Ashton Turner has preferred to call on Behrendorff, Richardson, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Ashton Agar, however this quartet could be in contention for one-day international selection.
Each of the eight BBL franchises will be in action during Round 5, with no bye or double game week to consider.
Both the Renegades and Brisbane Heat have the double in Round 6, while Adelaide Strikers have the double in Round 7 for those wanting to plan further ahead.
Also keep in mind the Australian one-day side starts its three-match series against India on January 12.
This could rule Chris Lynn out of the last game of his Round 6 double on January 10, pending selection, while Alex Carey won’t be available for Adelaide Strikers during Round 7.
TOP TRADE TARGETS
Mohammad Nabi
The off-spin bowling all-rounder is a key figure for the Renegades and a player worthy of a spot in your team beyond his double game week. Capable of changing a game with bat and ball, although skipper Tom Cooper has been more inclined to use seam bowlers when playing at home.
Dan Christian
Christian was averaging 80 after three rounds and has proved his worth with bat and ball since switching to the Renegades from Hobart Hurricanes. You can afford to hold off one more week but don’t enter the Renegades’ Round 6 double without him.
Mujeeb Ur Rahman
The Brisbane Heat mystery spinner is still nicely priced thanks to his side’s Round 2 and 3 byes. He’s been entrusted with new-ball duties and appears set to bowl four overs regularly. Don’t miss the boat.
Ben Cutting
A revelation in the opening round of the season, the all-rounder could be the beneficiary of Lynn’s likely inclusion in the Australian one-day squad. If he’s elevated in the batting order for the last game of Round 6 you will want him in your team. He enjoyed a more prominent bowling role than last summer in Round 1.
POD (POINT OF DIFFERENCE) MOVES
Peter Siddle
The experienced seamer returned 1-8 and 3-20 in his opening two games of BBL08, outshining more popular SuperCoach options such as Billy Stanlake and Michael Neser. Siddle could be the Strikers paceman you need come his side’s Round 7 double.
Jhye Richardson
Perth Scorchers are set for an extended stint on their home pitch, conditions which should suit Richardson. He was surprisingly left out of the opening game of BBL08 but has jumped in price after starring upon his return to the line-up with five wickets in three games.
Riley Meredith
One of the revelations of the early rounds of BBL08, Hobart Hurricanes quick Meredith has relished greater opportunity after an injury ruled import Tymal Mills out of the tournament. The Hurricanes are a tricky team to trade for as they have a bye in Round 7 before a double in Round 8, but Meredith is too cheap not to consider at under $100,000.
Dwayne Bravo
The experienced West Indian has dropped in price from his initial price tag of more than $200,000 and presents an enticing option for those who chose not to start with him. Bravo will bowl four overs in most games and likely earn batting points as a member of Melbourne Stars’ middle order. The Stars also finish the season with two doubles in four rounds – Rounds 10 and 13.
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