KFC SuperCoach BBL Cheapie Bible: The best bargains and rookies to pick
Rookies or cheapies – they are the key to any form of KFC SuperCoach. Here is everything you need to know about the BBL cash cows this summer.
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Whatever form of KFC SuperCoach you’re playing, getting your cash cows right is crucial to success.
In KFC SuperCoach AFL, coaches tend to focus on the draftees with the most money-making potential.
In KFC SuperCoach NRL, it’s the new signings or young guns promoted from the under-20s to earn a chance at the big time.
KFC SuperCoach BBL is unique in that the cash cows are not restricted to one age group or experience level.
This season coaches will be considering untried all-rounders to English internationals and Australia’s new million-dollar man.
Building team value is the fastest way to load your team with stars such as Rashid Khan and Daniel Sams.
These are the cash cows to consider for BBL12, starting at the basement price tag.
Josh Brown (Heat)
$42k BAT
A player most BBL fans are unlikely to have heard of but has built a reputation as one of the cleanest hitters in Queensland Premier Cricket. Playing as an opener for Northern Suburbs, Brown has hammered four tons this summer with a season high of 159. He made 147no off 68 balls against University of Queensland, 159 off 59 balls against Ipswich, 129 off 126 against Gold Coast and 131 off 79 balls against South Brisbane. Brown has hit 76 sixes in 20 innings this season. The next best in Queensland grade cricket is Ben Cutting with 44. Interestingly, Max Bryant has been batting middle-order for Queensland. Could that move be with an eye on blooding Brown in the BBL?
VERDICT: Hard to look past if he’s picked for Brisbane’s first game and he looks a player destined to deliver fireworks when his opportunity arrives.
Cam McClure (Stars)
$42k BWL
Standing at over 200cm, McClure is considered one of the most exciting pace-bowling prospects in Victoria. The 21-year-old has collected 11 wickets in five first-class games and four scalps from his two Marsh Cup outings. The Stars’ frontline quicks are likely to be Englishman Luke Wood, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Trent Boult early in the season, with Brody Couch also in the mix. That will likely mean McClure has to bide his time and wait for an opportunity, which might arrive after Boult heads to the UAE.
VERDICT: The Stars have a Round 9 double. Let’s hope he breaks into the team then and we can seriously cash in for the final rounds of BBL12.
Corey Rocchichioli (Renegades)
$42k BWL
Tall spinner who has been one of the standouts of the Sheffield Shield season to date with 16 wickets in five matches. Eight of those scalps came in one game as the 25-year-old announced himself on the domestic stage. His issue at the Renegades is likely to be opportunity, at least until Mujeeb Ur Rahman and Akael Hosein depart mid-season. It’s highly unlikely the Renegades would play three spinners with Kane Richardson and Tom Rogers likely to lead the attack. Expect Rocchichioli and Ruwantha Kellepotha to get opportunities in the run home when the Renegades’ leading spinners head overseas.
VERDICT: Not one to start with but could be a handy mid-season downgrade if he can break in at the right time.
Campbell Kellaway (Stars)
$42K BAT
The 20-year-old Victorian is set for his first taste of BBL after recently debuting in the Sheffield Shield. Kellaway ranked in the top-10 batters at this year’s Under-19 World Cup and opened his Premier Cricket campaign for Melbourne with knocks of 42, 133 not out, 51 and 83. Those performance earned him a Victorian cap but it remains to be seen if it will be enough for a spot in the Stars XI. Without the injured Glenn Maxwell, the Stars might prefer to go for experience.
VERDICT: Likely to be unavailable for Round 1 after being named to play in the CA XI against South Africa from December 9-12. Was probably unlikely to debut anyway but is worth monitoring as the talent is definitely there.
Ruwantha Kellepotha (Gades)
$42k BWL
What a story the former Sri Lankan first-class player is. He was playing in Melbourne’s Dandenong District Cricket Association, took a punt and headed to Casey-South Melbourne where he pocketed 37 Premier Cricket wickets. That campaign put him on the radar of Victorian selectors and helped Kellepotha earn an opportunity with the Renegades. Expect Hosein and Mujeeb to be the Gades’ spinners early but Kellepotha should get a chance later in BBL12.
VERDICT: Mid-season downgrade option.
Cooper Connolly (Scorchers)
$42k BAT-BWL
Cooper – or as he is more affectionately known by KFC SuperCoaches Looper Connolly – is one of the top talents coming through the ranks out west. The looper nickname stuck as many coaches used Connolly as their non-playing captaincy loop last season. The Scorchers have lost Mitch Marsh, Phil Salt and Laurie Evans in recent weeks, significantly hindering their batting depth. If they’re unable to secure reinforcements before the start of BBL12 it could be Connolly’s time to shine. He was averaging 77 after four innings for WA club Scarborough which included a knock of 188.
VERDICT: Still looks likely to be on the fringes and can be used as a BAT-BWL loop again. It does mean one spot in your team isn’t making money though.
SUPERCOACH INTEL: EVERY BBL TEAM’S PREDICTED XI
Lance Morris (Scorchers)
$62k BWL
The ‘wild thing’ has been one of the dominant bowlers in the Sheffield Shield, stepping up in the absence of Jhye Richardson for Western Australia. Morris has 22 wickets in five games for the Warriors and has largely led the attack with Richardson sidelined due to niggles. As a result, the young quick was added to Australia’s squad for the second Test the West Indies. He’d be a very tempting KFC SuperCoach option if selected for the Round 2 double as he’s a bowler with an impressive strike rate who should accumulate points through wickets. The issue though is even if Richardson misses the start of BBL12, Morris is still likely behind Tymal Mills, Andrew Tye and Jason Behrendorff. Then there’s Matt Kelly who never lets Perth down when called on.
VERDICT: Could be in for a breakout BBL, but far too hard to call when there’s so much pace talent in the Scorchers’ ranks. Job security is too shaky to confidently say he could be a cash cow.
Paddy Dooley (Hurricanes)
$62k BWL
The emerging left-arm spinner got his first taste of BBL when Brisbane Heat was decimated by Covid. Dooley has since gained international experience in the Abu Dhabi T20 league, claiming the wickets of Alex Hales, James Vince and Muhammad Waseem while playing in the Middle East. Dooley has a unique bowling action and should be in the mix to play his first match for Hobart from Round 1. He’s a different spinner to Shadab Khan and D’Arcy Short and is more often used in the powerplay. The Hurricanes might go with Khan and Short as their spinners at the start of BBL12 but don’t be shocked to see Dooley get an early opportunity. He has 27 wickets in Queensland Premier Cricket this season.
VERDICT: Definitely on the watch list. For his action as much as anything.
Izharulhaq Naveed (Sixers)
$62k BWL
Have the Scorchers uncovered another gem here? The men in magenta rarely miss with signings and Naveed was the real unknown from the inaugural BBL draft. He’s a 19-year-old leg-spinner from Afghanistan. Steve O’Keefe is still likely to be the No.1 spinner at the Sixers which would pit Naveed against Victorian Todd Murphy if they opt to play two tweakers. Even then, Murphy seems likely to get the nod if the Sixers adopt the two-spin strategy. His job security isn’t sound enough to be a KFC SuperCoach factor.
VERDICT: Pass. Sixers don’t have an early double and it’s hard to see him cementing a spot in what’s been a very stable line-up.
Sam Elliott (Stars)
$62k BWL
The son of former Test batter Matthew Elliott made his Sheffield Shield debut in recent weeks, making 80 not out and taking three wickets in his first game in the longer format for Victoria. Barring any late squad changes, the Stars will lean on Trent Boult, Luke Wood, Brody Couch and Nathan Coulter-Nile to carry most of their seam-bowling load. That would leave Elliott as a back-up option but he’s one who has shown in his short career he can impact games with bat and ball.
VERDICT: Likely too far down the queue to make your KFC SuperCoach team, even if he’s chosen for Round 1. You want players with strong job security.
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Henry Hunt (Strikers)
$62k BAT
More renowned as a red-ball batter, Hunt averaged 17 in six innings for the Strikers last season. The top-order batter has a promising record from eight 50-over games, averaging just under 40 at a strike rate over 70. But his six T20s have only yielded a high score of 27. Adelaide needs to fill the middle-order role Jon Wells played so well in recent seasons after his switch to the Renegades. Could Hunt get first crack? Thomas Kelly seems more likely.
VERDICT: There’s so many good options on the Round 1 double you don’t need to flirt with risky options like Hunt.
Harry Nielsen (Strikers)
$62k WKP-BAT
While his KFC SuperCoach record doesn’t inspire great confidence, Nielsen is the only keeper available for $62k this year. He’s also almost certainly got the gloves until Alex Carey returns. If you were going to start with Nielsen it would unlikely be for cash generation or big points (last year he started at $76k and finished at $43k, averaging 17.9 points. Coaches who start Nielsen will likely do so with Round 2 in mind when he can be used to pivot either Matthew Gilkes or Josh Inglis to a BAT role for their doubles.
VERDICT: Only if you’re picking him for your structure – and even then you’ll need to punt him once Alex Carey is back.
Beau Webster (Stars)
$62k BAT
Maybe I’m searching too hard for a rookie, but something tells me Webster could be a serious cash cow in BBL12. If the Stars are going to push for a finals berth one of Webster, Joe Burns and/or Nick Larkin need to step into the void left by Glenn Maxwell’s injury. Larkin and Burns are more top-order players which is why I think Webster will be the one the Stars lean on for Maxwell’s middle-order finisher role. He averages 28 from more than 50 career T20s and interestingly has been bowling a lot for Tasmania in Sheffield Shield. Could he also pick up the Maxwell slack with the ball?
VERDICT: Big practice match watch. If he’s batting top 5 and rolling the arm over $62k is a crazy price. It’s only a few summers since Webster peaked in KFC SuperCoach at $166k.
Nick Larkin (Stars)
$62k BAT
Larkin hasn’t featured for New South Wales since February but sent a reminder of his quality last month when he peeled off 183 out of a total of 269 to lead Sydney Uni to victory against Gordon in NSW Premier Cricket. Larkin didn’t have a great impact for the Stars last summer, scoring 88 runs from eight innings which includes a 52 not out. The Stars batting line-up is pretty uncertain but Larkin looms as the type of linchpin who can allow big hitters like Hilton Cartwright to go on the attack. Two summers ago he averaged almost 40 in the BBL and has the quality to at least partially fill the huge Maxwell void.
VERDICT: Prefer Webster if he’s an outside chance of bowling.
Joe Burns (Stars)
$62k BAT
The former Test opener has never really taken the BBL by storm and has a career batting average of 23 from 86 T20 games. Burns will be in the same camp as Larkin and Webster, looking to step up for the Stars to help them overcome a summer with Maxwell after his freak leg injury. Could he open with Marcus Stoinis? That role will probably fall to Joe Clarke but Burns’ form in the Sheffield Shield has been encouraging, compiling more than 300 runs at an average of 44.3. Maybe he’s the man for that floating No.3/No.4 role that Maxwell normally fills.
VERDICT: It would be strange for a 33-year-old to have a breakout BBL tournament – but funnier things have happened.
Will Sutherland (Renegades)
$62k BAT-BWL
Sutherland seems to be enjoying the breakout summer he has threatened to unleash in the past few years. Still only 23, Sutherland scored his maiden first-class ton in October and now boasts 75 wickets from 25 matches in the baggy blue. He’s never nailed down a role for the Renegades who have often used Mohammad Nabi in the lower-order all-rounder role. Now Liam Livingstone has withdrawn and been replaced by a top-order batter in Martin Guptill, Sutherland will finally be able to lock down a defined role.
VERDICT: KFC SuperCoaches who have been burned before will find it tough to go there again. Watch his form and role in the early rounds closely.
Oliver Davies (Thunder)
$62k BAT
One of the boom youngsters of the BBL who looms as the next Tim David T20 prototype. Davies burst onto the scene two summers ago with KFC SuperCoach scores of 71 and 83 but a combination of injury and role have slowed his progress since. He opened his career with scores of 36 off 22 and 48 off 23 but in 11 BBL innings since has only reached 20 once.
VERDICT: Look out if it all clicks – and it’s surely just a matter of time until it does.
Cameron Green (Scorchers)
$62k BAT-BWL
The Aussie all-rounder might be the best mid-season downgrade in KFC SuperCoach history. Seriously, Green ticks every box for what KFC SuperCoaches want in a player. He’ll likely bowl 3-4 overs every match, bat in the top 4-5 (possibly as an opener), and is one of the best gully fielders in Australia. The Aussie Test players will return to the BBL in mid-January and unless Green’s workload is going to be managed, he’ll fast become one of the most popular players in KFC SuperCoach.
VERDICT: Not sure I would start with him as tempting as it is to carry a captaincy loophole until he returns. Just make sure you jump on when he’s back steaming in for Perth.
Billy Stanlake (Hurricanes)
$68k BWL
What has happened to big Billy? Once touted as one of Australia’s future fast-bowling weapons, the beanpole quick has been largely off the radar since he played his last T20 for Australia in November, 2019. Stanlake has been sidelined for much of the past three years due to a wretched injury run highlighted by a back stress fracture. You would imagine even if he makes the Hurricanes team he will be closely managed to mitigate the risk of further injury. That will only stall any potential cash generation.
VERDICT: The temptation is understandable considering he was such a promising bowler only a few years ago. But you just can’t ignore that injury history.
Todd Murphy (Sixers)
$69k BWL
The bespectacled off-spinner is gaining fans quickly in Australian cricket as has even been touted as a possible spin partner for Nathan Lyon when the Aussies next head to India. He hasn’t been a huge wicket-taker in white-ball cricket yet but an imposing record of 22 scalps in six first-class games outlines his talent. Steve O’Keefe should still be the first-choice tweaker for the Sixers but it would surprise if Murphy doesn’t get opportunities through BBL12 – whether that be stepping in when SOK rests or playing as a spin duo.
VERDICT: Exciting prospect for Victorian and Australian cricket but his brief T20 and one-day experience so far doesn’t suggest he’s going to be a money maker.
Matt Kuhnemann (Heat)
$71k BWL
Kuhnemann went to Sri Lanka with the Australia A squad earlier this year and was briefly in the mix for a Test debut in spin-friendly conditions. His role for the Heat will be fascinating. They need to replace the powerplay overs which were Mujeeb ur Rahman’s domain and Mitch Swepson is probably too attacking for that role. If the Heat aren’t going to back in quicks, is Kuhnemann the man? Brisbane bats reasonably deep so could get away with two spinners, albeit it’s unlikely that tactic would be used in every match. No point starting him as he’ll be playing in the CA XI against South Africa during Round 1.
VERDICT: Have a look at his role in Round 1 and jump on for the Round 3 double if you’re impressed.
Jimmy Peirson (Heat)
$73k WKP-BAT
One of the fixture of Brisbane’s team for several years, it will be interesting to see where Peirson fits after Sam Billings joined the Heat. Does Peirson stay in, take the gloves and Billings plays as a better? It wouldn’t surprise if the Heat went for Billings in the keeping role to give them more flexibility with the bat or bowling depth. Peirson rounded out BBL11 with a score of 143 but that was only the second KFC SuperCoach ton of his career.
VERDICT: Not even sure he plays Round 1 and he bats too deep to rack up many points
Marcus Stoinis (Stars)
$83k BAT-BWL
This price is simply too good to be true. It was only a few summers ago Stoinis was one of the most-expensive players in KFC SuperCoach. A couple of lean tournaments in which he has hardly bowled have caused the Stars all-rounder to plummet to less than $100k. And the timing couldn’t really be better for KFC SuperCoach teams. The Stars have a Round 1 double and Stoinis will almost certainly have to bowl without Glenn Maxwell.
VERDICT: He should be your first picked player.
Josh Inglis (Scorchers)
$87k WKP-BAT
Some KFC SuperCoaches seem to have forgotten just how good Inglis is. Two summers ago he finished with 413 runs at a strike rate of 140, one of the highest strike rates of any batter in the top 10 back in BBL10. The Scorchers have lost Laurie Evans, Phil Salt and Mitch Marsh in recent weeks, putting even more onus on Inglis to carry their top order. His low price means you can carry Inglis through Perth’s Round 1 bye and then unleash him come Round 2 when the Scorchers play twice. Inglis would have been in Australia’s T20 World Cup squad had it not been for a freak golf injury. He returned to cricket last month with Western Australia.
VERDICT: You’re going to want him in your KFC SuperCoach team come Round 2 so save yourself the trade and stash him on your bench.
Tim David (Hurricanes)
$89k BAT
The new master blaster of Australian cricket has never had the perfect role for KFC SuperCoach, often relying on strike rate bonus to boost his scores due to coming in at No.6 or No.7 for the Hurricanes. That surely changes this summer as Hobart looks to get even more from David’s destructive talents. Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott and D’Arcy Short are the likely top three but David could bat anywhere from 4-6 depending on game situation.
VERDICT: If Hobart had an earlier double he’d be locked in but there are other cheapies with better fixtures early in BBL12. has only reached 20 once. Look out if it all clicks – and it’s surely just a matter of time until it does.
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