SuperCoach BBL: Five players every team must pick to start BBL14

Here are the five players to build your SuperCoach BBL team around – including a late bolter who could be this summer’s biggest bargain.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to be different in SuperCoach.

Point-of-difference picks are the ones that separate the best coaches from the chasing pack and set them on the path to league or rankings glory.

However, the first step on that path is getting the backbone of your team right – and that means making the most of the schedule.

Both the Stars and Renegades play twice in round 1, so you can quickly double your points-scoring potential by loading your team with players from the two Melbourne franchises.

But the best targets might not be most obvious names – this list has been overhauled since it first appeared in October, with just one survivor.

These are the five big names we think should be in every SuperCoach team for BBL14.

1. ADAM ZAMPA (RENEGADES) $80,100 BWL

The world’s No.3 ranked T20 bowler is the 95th most-expensive player in SuperCoach BBL. And no, that’s not a typo. Zampa has been one of the most prolific bowlers in BBL history but is significantly underpriced after his worst campaign since 2018 last summer. Zampa took six wickets in eight matches for the Renegades with an average of 41.6. He steamrolled Pakistan with six wickets in the recent T20 series and with a round 1 double, should be in every SuperCoach team. He’s got potential to score big and make a stack of cash.

Adam Zampa should be in every SuperCoach side. Picture: Matt King/Getty Images

2. TOM CURRAN (STARS) $152,000 BAT-BWL

The Englishman courted headlines for the wrong reasons last time he was in the BBL, but is a SuperCoach BBL beast at his best. In his first two campaigns as a Sixer, Curran averaged 73 and 71.5 SuperCoach points, establishing himself as one of the competiton’s must-have players. Curran is set to have a prominent role for his new franchise, Melbourne Stars, especially if Glenn Maxwell isn’t bowling when he returns from a hamstring strain. There’s potential for Curran to be batting at six or seven and bowling the clutch overs every game. That role is as good as it gets for SuperCoach BBL scoring.

Tom Curran has switched from the Sixers to the Stars. Picture: AAP Image/Brendon Thorne

3. JAKE DORAN (HURRICANES) $39,500 WKP-BAT

Playing the captaincy loophole isn’t for everyone. But if you’re going down that route, Doran is the perfect selection for BBL14. Although his Sheffield Shield form for Tasmania has been strong, the 28-year-old appears unlikely to feature often for the Hurricanes. By selecting Doran, you can get two shots at a captain score by captaining the Hobart wicketkeeper-batter (as long as he’s a DNP) if your vice-captain fires. Don’t expect many points from Doran – but the bonus will be locking in big vice-captaincy scores when you pick correctly.

Jake Doran could play a crucial role in SuperCoach if if he doesn’t play a game. Picture: Steve Bell/Getty Images

4. TOM ROGERS (RENEGADES) $117,500 BWL

Rogers has been one of the most prolific seamers in the past three BBL campaigns, taking 51 wickets since the start of BBL11. What should pique the interest of SuperCoach teams, however, is that in almost every match last season, he bowled four overs. Rogers averaged 3.4 overs a game in BBL13, which compares favourably to Kane Richardson (2.8) and all-rounder Will Sutherland (2.7). You want to choose players who are guaranteed at least three overs a game (and are therefore eligible with the economy rate bonus) and Rogers almost always ticks that box.

Tom Rogers presents great value. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

5. HAMISH McKENZIE (STARS) $69,400 BWL

The left-arm spinner has rocketed into SuperCoach relevance after it was confirmed Usama Mir won’t be released to join the Stars until December 26. McKenzie is in a two-man race with Doug Warren to be the Stars’ spinner in round 1, pending a replacement player being added until Mir arrives. McKenzie has been in terrific form for his club side Subiaco-Floreat in Western Australia and could be a great early-season cash cow. Just be prepared to jump off once Mir arrives for the round 3 double.

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Originally published as SuperCoach BBL: Five players every team must pick to start BBL14