Tim Michell reveals the big changes to his SuperCoach BBL team ahead of BBL09
Are you counting down to the start of BBL09? You’re not alone. Lockout can’t come quickly enough for Tim Michell, who has made nine changes to his SuperCoach team since it was revealed last month.
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How is there still a week left until the Big Bash League starts?
If you’re a team tinkerer like me, the first lockout of the campaign can’t come quickly enough.
I revealed my initial side on November 6, but much has changed in the past month.
I’ve been ruthless, making nine changes.
Only Tom Curran, Ashton Agar, Ben Dwarshuis, Josh Phillipe, Tom Banton, Daniel Hughes and Daniel Sams have survived the cut.
My side ‘Loose Bus Change’ (Marnus reference) has felt the impact of new BBL signings, while I’ve got doubts over the availability of those still playing in the Mzansi Super League with Round 1 doubles such as James Vince and Chris Morris.
I’m willing to risk Curran — for now — although he’s also featuring in South Africa’s Twenty20 tournament which finishes the same day the BBL starts.
I’ve come to a team which is packed with Round 1 doubles, but has enough flexibility to get me through the first half of the season and have prioritised Marcus Stoinis as an early trade target.
BATSMEN
Chris Lynn (Brisbane Heat) $173,000 BAT — vice-captain
The early rounds are as much about staying in contention as they are making a flying start. Lynn is the type of player who could blow you away in two games and leave you playing catch up. He started BBL08 with a red-hot run and was dominant in the recent T10 League.
Callum Ferguson (Sydney Thunder) $134,600 BAT
This spot had been reserved for Shaun Marsh, who has dominated against the white ball this summer. But Ferguson is in rare form, with three hundreds in his past four innings. The veteran batsman gets the nod over Marsh due to the Thunder’s Round 1 double.
Tom Banton (Brisbane Heat) $125,000 WKP-BAT
I have flirted with a team which has Brisbane Heat’s big three — Lynn, Banton and Max Bryant. But the reality is you can only start with two and my gut says Banton will be intent on proving his talent on Australian soil. I don’t think you can go wrong with Bryant either.
Daniel Hughes (Sydney Sixers) $115,500 BAT
Hughes is too cheap not to start with for a player who boasts his consistency. He’ll bat five times in the first three rounds and should make a serious profit as a result. That’s how you build your bank to bring in big guns such as Stoinis and D’Arcy Short.
Moises Henriques (Sydney Sixers) $101,500 BAT-BWL
Henriques is another player enjoying a purple patch with three scores of 91 or better in his past five matches. He’ll be a part-time bowler at best for the Sixers but bats often enough at No. 4 to justify spending more than $100,000. As a BAT-BWL he’ll enable trade flexibility too.
Bench
Ashton Agar (Perth Scorchers) $133,200 BAT-BWL
Matt Short (Adelaide Strikers) $73,900 BAT
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WICKETKEEPERS
Josh Philippe (Sydney Sixers) $123,000 WKP-BAT
Of all the changes I’ve made in the past month, Philippe has never left my side. Much like Lynn, he has the potential to leave those who ignore him hundreds of points behind the rest of the pack. The only reason I wouldn’t start him is if it becomes clear he’s not going to open.
Bench:
Alex Carey (Adelaide Strikers) $139,800 WKP-BAT
BOWLERS
Tom Curran (Sydney Sixers) $210,000 BAT-BWL — captain
The obvious captain for Round 1. The only issue will be if his franchise Tshwane Spartans reach Mzansi Super League finals, although the Sixers are adamant the Englishman will be available for Round 1.
Daniel Sams (Sydney Thunder) $170,200 BAT-BWL
Players who can change a game with bat and ball are SuperCoach BBL gold. Sams ticks every box as a wicket-taker who can score runs quickly when batting in the middle-order.
Ben Dwarshuis (Sydney Sixers) $136,200 BWL
Dwarshuis has the potential to be a real point of difference for Round 1. His Big Bash League record is strong and a return of 80-100 points from his two early fixtures would justify his selection.
James Pattinson (Brisbane Heat) $126,600 BWL
Hard to see Pattinson edging past Mitch Starc to partner Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins against New Zealand. That would be a huge bonus for SuperCoaches as Pattinson has a career strike rate of 17.3 in the BBL.
Mark Steketee (Brisbane Heat) $81,600 BWL
It’s been a few summers since Steketee excelled in the BBL but his recent form has been very encouraging. He was almost guaranteed a starting berth before Ben Laughlin signed with the Heat, but should still be in Brisbane’s Round 1 team thanks to 18 wickets in his past four games.
Bench:
Faheem Ashraf (Melbourne Renegades) $105,000 BAT-BWL
Nathan Ellis (Hobart Hurricanes) $42,000 BWL
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