Updated Watchlist: Bowlers to target in BBL12

Hi folks, 

I’m back for the bowlers watchlist. 

As per the previous watchlist articles, below is my list in priority order. 

I’ll complete an update of the full list for each position, including any additions and removals, prior to season start. 

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Onto the list: 

1.    Rashid Khan ($194k)

Supercoach averages of 67, 64, 67 and 70 say it all really. The Striker’s double to start makes him an auto selection and probably the best Captaincy pick. Showed encouraging signs with the bat in the T20WC too. 

My only question around Khan at this point is whether he’s a hold for round 2. If I decide to get Mitch Marsh in, Rashid may need to make way.

2.    Adam Zampa ($104k)

Zamps will be a staple of most round 1 sides at that price. Last season his SC average fell from the 50-60 points in the past, all the way down to 35. I think this is just a blip on the radar given Zampa’s track record, especially at international level. 

With a double first up he can be slotted straight into your side, then moved onto prior to the Stars round 2 bye, or held if he finishes up with a low B.E.

3.    High Priority Allrounders

Marcus Stoinis ($83k)

Daniel Sams ($179k)

Matt Short ($198k)

Cameron Green ($62k)

Ashton Agar ($161k)

I spoke about these allrounders in my batting Watchlist. Although I’ll look to have majority of them in batsman slots long-term, in round 1 I’ll have a few as bowlers.

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4.    Fazalhaq Farooqi ($105k)

Was an absolute lock in my side until the recent signing of Qadir as a 4th international for the Thunder. This impacts Farooqi’s job security, but I’m still likely to start with him for several reasons:

–       He’s a noted death bowler, which is a key role that I think it improves his chances of being selected in most, if not all games

–       His career T20 record is immense, with an economy of 6.5 and taking a wicket every 21 balls (albeit that this is only from 30 games)

–       His T20 international strike rate is even better, striking every 18.1 balls (economy is around the same at 6.75)

–       At $105k he offers excellent value

–       The Thunder have a good draw to start (Stars, Strikers, Renegades and Strikers again) 

The Qadir news is certainly a concern. However, I think it’s worth Supercoaches holding their nerve on this one and starting with him, provided he’s named in the final team for round 1.

5. Nathan Coulter Nile ($103k)

Has snuck into the latest iteration of my side, following news he’ll be fit for round 1. His role is excellent, likely to bowl key overs and bat 7, where he’ll be a decent chance of a quick fire 20 for S/R bonus. 

Fitness has been an ongoing concern. However, it may well be worth the risk given his upside. He’s currently on my bench as an emergency loop.

6. Mujeeb Ur Rahman ($112k)

The 21 year old mystery spinner is one of the best T20 bowlers in the world. In three recent T20WC matches for Afghanistan he had quality returns of 1/42, 2/24 and 1/22.

Mujeeb took BBL10 by storm, with a 66.6 SuperCoach average in eight games, before coming back to the pack with a 38.5 point average last season for the Heat.

Despite the lower SC average, he was all class but was a little less effective in the wicket-taking department with 8 scalps in 11 games, at an outstanding economy of 6.36.

The Renegades don’t have a bye all season and have the double in round 5. If I start with him, I’d be more than happy to hold for the duration. Warrants strong consideration to start.

7. Peter Siddle ($151k)

At one stage last season it looked like Sidds might have been declining from Supercoach gun status. However, he bounced back superbly to top the BBL wicket-taker chart with 30 from 17 games.

He’s honed his T20 bowling with age and been amongst the top BBL wicket-takers year-on-year. He keeps himself in great condition at 38 years of age, rarely missing games through injury and continuing to play 4-day cricket. 

All-in-all there’s a lot to like about Siddle. Perhaps just comes down to budget and how many Strikers you want in your side.

8. Andrew Tye ($157k)

He continues to deliver for the Scorchers year-on-year, so I struggle to see myself going without him for their double. Career SC averages read: 

2021/22: 54

2020/21: 43

2019/20: NA

2018/19: 52

2016/17: 50

After a down year in 2020/21, Tye returned to the norm and even bettered his past averages. A factor in last year’s average could be the Scorcher’s incredible bowling attack, which consistently has batters under pressure. This provides plenty of wicket-taking opportunities for Tye. 

With a few concerns about J Richo’s fitness, I may look to start with Tye instead. 

9.    Harry Conway ($71k)

Looks to be the best value option with an early double, provided he gets a start. 

Historically hasn’t been SC relevant, with his best season coming in 2019/20 when he averaged 35 SC points. However, based on last season’s BBL and this season’s Marsh One Day Cup, he seems to have jagged the lucrative death bowling role. At the price and with the double to start, he’s hard to pass up.

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10.    Trent Boult ($180k)

The lethal left-armer strikes every 19 balls across his T20 career and seems to be getting even better with age. I do have a few worries about the Stars line-up going into the tournament though. Ideally, we want bowlers with big totals to defend. 

The way Boult bowled in the World Cup, perhaps it doesn’t matter what total he has to defend. However, given his price and that little bit of uncertainty, he’s a maybe for me at this point.

11.    Luke Wood ($105k bat/bowl)

Wood might be flying under the radar somewhat. Career economy rate in T20 is a tad high (8.36). However, he bags his share of wickets, striking every 19.4 balls. He’s also recently broken into the England white ball squads.

Could do anything round 1, so given Stars have the double, he may well be worth a punt. Could bat at 8 and jag a few late order runs too. 

12.    Henry Thornton ($164k)

Burst onto the BBL scene last season, claiming 14 wickets in 9 games at the incredible strike rate of 13.3. One Day Cup form has been good this season, with 10 wickets in 5 games. 

An exciting pick who could be a massive POD for round 1. It’s a close call between him and Boult, even though the latter has a long and superb T20 record. 

One risk with Thornton is the Strikers play 2 games in 3 days (one in Adelaide and one in Sydney). I wouldn’t expect rotation early in the season, but you never know.

13. Shadab Khan ($125,000)

The Pakistani comes into the tournament in supreme form, with one of the better SuperCoach roles in the game. Plenty of upside.

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14. Mitchell Swepson ($107k)

Potentially coming into the prime of his career at 29 years old, Swepson starts at a nice price and could be in for a big tournament. He’s still on the cusp of the Australian side and is part of a strong Heat bowling attack. 

T20 record is good, claiming a wicket every 20 balls, at an economy under 8. I see no reason he can’t better that.

I have Neser in front of him, due to DPP status and potential for batting points. However, a strong case can be made to start with both. 

15.    Chris Green ($119k)

I’m intrigued by Green’s recent First-Class debut in which he claimed 9 wickets for the match. He also has a recent Marsh One Day Cup 4-fa to his name. This is interesting because the issue with picking Green in the past has been that he doesn’t take enough wickets to be SC relevant. 

I think there’s a chance he may continue this form to strike more often in T20s as well, in which case he could be an excellent pick for the Thunder’s double. Will be watching his performances in the practice matches closely. 

16. Lance Morris (63k)

Morris passes the eye test, regularly bowling 145k +. He’s been taking bags of wickets in the Shield comp. This doesn’t always translate to T20 of course. However, as a relative newcomer to First Class cricket at 24 years old, it’s a good way to gauge his potential. 

Unfortunately, the Scorchers bowling attack is stacked, but if Morris does somehow get a start, he’s an excellent round 2 trade-in option.

17. Sean Abbott ($205k)

A quick look at Sabba’s SC career record shows how prolific he is in the tournament. The season averages read:

2021/22: 71

2020/21: 55

2019/20: 85

2018/19: 68

2016/17: 80

With no early byes and doubles in rounds 5 and 8, you could easily set and forget him. However, I think there’s perhaps more upside in those with early doubles. Even so, I’d find it hard to talk anyone out of him.

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18. Mark Steketee ($177k)

Steketee’s BBL SC record is too good to ignore, meaning he’s well in my trade plans for round 3. Last season’s average of 61 was his best since 2016/17 (when he averaged 69). As part of a strong Heat bowling attack, I think he can again average around 50-60 SC points for the season.

19. Low Priority Allrounders

Michael Neser ($107,900)

James Bazley ($146k)

Matt Renshaw ($136k)

Have my eye on these two for the Heat’s round 3 double.

So, there you have it. 

Not long to go now till season start! Enjoy the First Test and I’ll be back soon for the watchlist updates.