Team reveal: SC Spy drops early BBL12 squad

“Sangha clips that towards deep mid-wicket and that my friends is one of the most effortless tons in BBL history. The boy is class and it’s hard to believe he took 3-9 off three overs earlier in the night. What a performance from the 23-year-old as the Sydney Thunder chase down 202.”

Oh g’day everyone! Spy here.

I was just daydreaming while typing and that was where my head was at. I am a huge fan of Sangha, but if I’m being totally honest there is stiff competition for spots in my round 1 side and his form has been mixed of late.

If he bowls however and with two double game weeks (DGWs) to start this year’s tournament he is one of my key targets early.

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There’s some huge decisions to make to start the tournament, below I’m going to outline my plan of attack with regard to the structure of my team and the individuals who have currently made the cut.

This will include how many from each team as well as my bench make up and plans to exploit the loophole situation. 

Once my structure is set this will allow me to flip players in and out without messing with the make up and early round plans to maximise double game week potential!

Initial line up as of 21 November:

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Wicket-keeper

Joe Clarke

He is slotted in as my keeper to start the season, though he isn’t necessarily a lock. I may opt for Gilkes and free up cash for an upgrade elsewhere. Time will tell. I will have the emergency on him to ensure Inglis (on the bye) can act as a captaincy loophole if necessary.

Josh Inglis

Ready for round 2 and a perfect loophole option.

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Batsmen

Matt Short

Bowls, bats, double game week and my skipper if my VC fails opening night.

Chris Lynn

On the double game and cheap. I’m not the biggest fan, but Adelaide is a great deck to bat on so he appears a nice upside option (with risk) to start the season before moving him on. It should be noted that if Gilkes plays well he will lose his spot. More below on that.

Marcus Stoinis

Locked in!! Captaincy material also.

Jason Sangha

As noted in the opening paragraph, I’m a big fan.

There may be a decision however between Sangha and flipping a dual batter/bowler down to bring in Trent Boult instead.

I’ll make that call late, but I am likely to stick with Jase due to my loyalty from last season and the chance he both bats and bowls for two games (four chances at points).

Alex Hales

Unfortunately everyone now knows how bloody good he is because I tended to have him to myself at times in previous seasons.

I think any POD factor may now be gone. He’s too dangerous not to own early on and he’s less likely to start slow as he has just finished a T20 World Cup blitz on Aussie soil.

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Batting Bench

Matt Gilkes

I will have the emergency on him and if he tees off in the opening game I will take his points by trading Chris Lynn to someone who will be on the double in upcoming rounds.

Essentially this will mean locking in the points AND getting an extra trade ahead of the competition.

Cooper Connelly

He’s dual position and he will act as an loophole specialist for me for the season.

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Bowlers

Rashid Khan

An all-timer and I’m not overthinking this one.

Daniel Sams

Absolute stud and hoping he can get some time at the crease as well as his normal bowling exploits. He will be my VC and therefore skipper if he starts well night one.

Shadab Khan

My only single game player as it stands. I will need to determine closer if this is the best option, but at the price and with the upside he could be a goer.

Adam Zampa

I am expecting a bounce back from a COVID affected campaign last season and some extra help in the bowling stocks at the Stars, meaning batsmen may not be able to see him off as often and hopefully have to take a few risks against Zamps.

Aaron Hardie

Getting ahead of the game despite his bye, because Perth have the round 2 DGW. His role is a concern potentially, so he isn’t yet a lock but I’m a big fan and he is pretty cheap. Why is he starting for me you ask? See below for the explanation.

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Bowling Bench

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Injury history exists, but a heap of point potential in NCN. He’s currently on the bench with the emergency on him. If he goes well night one I will keep Aaron Hardie in the starting line-up and take his points.

Harry Conway

If Coulter-Nile fails I will flip Conway into my starting lineup for his DGW. He’s cheap and so good for the budget.

At this stage I have $45k free however, so again this spot could change. I could of course just put him in my starting line up and then bench him if Coulter-Nile fails, however where is the faith? He won’t be needed.. I hope! Note that if Coulter-Nile does play well I’ll have no need for Conway, so I will turn him into a Perth or Brisbane Heat player for their upcoming double.

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Structure

4x Sydney Thunder players who have two DGWs to begin. I can trade two or three of them when they get to the round 3 bye.

4x Melbourne Stars players who have a double then the bye, so two or three of them will need to be traded after round 1 with Stoin at his value to be held on the bench.

4x Adelaide Strikers who have a double, then a single. I’m unlikely to be able to trade them initially so I need to be sure I am happy with a least two or three as I’ll likely need to play them on the round 2 single game week. A bit more thought to come here to be honest on the exact numbers, but it looks okay.

3x Perth ready for round 2.

1x Hobart Hurricane

Round 2

I’ll trade Clarke, Zampa and Coulter-Nile with an eye on Perth and Brisbane Heat players who have upcoming doubles. Jhye Richardson hellllo!

Round 3

The Thunder players will need to make way.

Bench

Inglis to start in the keeper spot to allow a free captaincy loophole if required (Joe Clarke will automatically sub in)

1x batsmen free loop

1x bowler free loop

That’s how I’m going in at this stage of the pre-season! It’s early days and I have to admit I haven’t forensically studied every side just yet, but I expect my side to be very close to the above.

Any thoughts, questions, critiques or the like are encouraged! I’ll be back on the podcast soon, and will be heavily involved in the SC Playbook Whatsapp group (words and voice notes!) as well as lots of Twitter chat @SCSpy1.

Cheers everyone, it’s good to be back!