Updated team announcement: SC Spy unveils Round 1 squad

Out to back up a strong campaign last time around, the SC Spy drops his team for the first round of the new SuperCoach BBL season.

Pre-season

I have decided to lock in five Sydney Sixers for their double game week and two Brisbane Heat players, before using three trades on Adelaide Strikers options for their double game week in Round 2.

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Sydney Sixers

Josh Philippe (WKP/BAT) – Opening the batting and wicket-keeper and with the opening double points it’s hard to leave him out. It would be a bold anti-POD to leave him out. He has to be a skipper option as well, though there is risk as he isn’t an all-rounder.

James Vince (BAT) – The form he had to end the season last time out and the fact you can double him up early at that price means I am locking him in! I’m hoping for a big score and maybe a price rise before moving him onto an Adelaide Striker for their double up in Round 2.

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Tom Curran (BWL/BAT) – A serious cricketer, can also bat well if given the chance. I think he will be an early premium selection for me! He didn’t play last year, so hopefully he is fired up and ready to rumble…

Daniel Hughes (BAT) – Hughes should bat top four, hopefully three, for the Sixers and at that price with the double he’s very hard to bypass.

Ben Manenti (BWL) – Like Hughes, has the double, is cheap, and should get a decent role with the ball.

Given the Sixers also play Round 2 unlike the Heat you will likely need to keep some or all of the Sixers guys in your team at least short-term, so choose carefully! Given how the bye schedule is set out you may need a few of them long-term. That’s why I want five guys I can trust as much as possible.

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Brisbane Heat

Mujeeb Ur Rahman (BWL) – The 20-year-old Afghan could well be my Round 1 skipper. You only need to look at last year’s numbers to see how good he can be! He’s a perfect flip to Rashid Khan in Round 2 if I don’t start with his fellow countrymen.

Xavier Bartlett (BWL) – This is of course team list dependant, but I loved what I saw from him last season. If we can be sure he is getting 3-4 overs I’m keen to have him for his double before moving him on. He looks very likely to play a big role and may well bowl at the death

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The Others

D’Arcy Short (BAT/BWL) – I love D’Arcy who was a little down last year, so I think he is a touch under-valued if he can recapture some consistent form with the bat, he will bowl as well and loves a wicket.

Harry Nielsen (WKP/BAT) – Nielson has come in as backup keeper (Gilkes flipped to batsmen). The Round 2 double and cash rise opportunity appeal here plus the flexibility to rotate keepers between positions is vital.

Glenn Maxwell (BAT/BWL) – He has bowled well of late and we know what he can do with the bat. On top of that he has a pretty early double and when that arrives in Round 3 I can use the trade I would have used to get Maxwell in on another option whether that be an extra double game week player or another value play (upgrade, downgrade etc).

Daniel Sams (BAT/BWL) – Whilst he doesn’t have a double for what seems like ages, he doesn’t have a bye and could see some extra opportunities with the bat after his form shown in the last 12 months. I love him as a lock in superstar set and forget option! Rashid can then be a straight swap for Mujeeb in Round 2.

Matt Gilkes (WKP/BAT) – Despite the fact the Thunder have signed Sam Whiteman, Gilkes is dirt cheap and should still play a prominent role.

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Marcus Stoinis (BAT/BWL) – He is not a lock for me, but I love Big Stoin. He is a super crisp hitter of the ball who can score big and at pace. If he bowls as well he is an absolute star!

Nick Hobson (BAT) – Hobson from Perth looks set for a chance at basement price. I really need him to play a couple of games to give me backup and add value!! This is even more critical because I have only $400 left so I can’t upgrade any basement price guys for this round at least.

Josh Kann and Cooper Connelly

Connolly and Kann are my basement price non players both dual position which is super useful because i can swap a dual from my batting spot if I’m short on bowlers at any stage.

The sum up

I’ve decided to maximise guns and double players on field and play it a touch risky with my bench. It could backfire and leave me short but could be spectacular!!! It’s your classic guns and cheapies approach from NRL but the risk is I don’t know for sure how many of my bench will play.

I just don’t fully trust the mid-range guys who are available to start with. Let’s see what Round 1 brings and I’ll be sure to be checking final teams in case I need to make a late change. Good luck troops!

3 Responses to “Updated team announcement: SC Spy unveils Round 1 squad”

  1. luke richo

    Nice work Spy – good to see so many different tactics this year makes for an interesting year! Anti Pod Lynn that will be a big decider rd1 as well as us running mujeeb vs those who aren’t – but I like Short/Sams set and forget (short) at least first 7/8rounds then he just sits one game.
    All the best

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