Team analysis: Melbourne Stars BBL13 targets

Could this be the season the Melbourne Stars finally put it all together?

Often entering the tournament as genuine title contenders, the Stars are yet to claim a Big Bash crown.

They’ve finished runner-up on three occasions, with the most recent back in BBL09.

They’ve failed to make the finals in the past three editions in the tournament.

SUBSCRIBE! Gain access to stacks of additional premium articles each week, major unlimited group prize money, our Whatsapp community featuring QnAs with our team of contributors, late mail, and plenty of other bonus features. SUBSCRIBE HERE!

Embed from Getty Images

They’ve had some roster turnover as they look to break their lengthy title drought, and get Glenn Maxwell back who missed all of last year due to injury.

While they’ve lost plenty of quality, they’ve recruited well on the international front with the signings of Haris Rauf, Usama Mir and Liam Dawson.

They begin the Supercoach season with a fascinating draw that makes them extremely relevant to begin the tournament.

They have the double game in round 1 and round 3, with a bye wedged in between in round 2.

Two key Supercoach relevant players in Beau Webster and Mark Steketee will be unavailable for the first game of the round 1 double due to Prime Minister’s XI duties.

Usama Mir may miss the first game due to Abu Dhabi T10 commitments if his side go deep into finals, but he’s also every chance to be on deck for the Stars if they don’t.

Rauf is having issues being cleared by Pakistan and may miss the first game of the campaign.

International Liam Dawson is available for the first three games, and will be replaced after Christmas by Imad Wasim from game four onwards.

Embed from Getty Images

GUNS

Glenn Maxwell // BAT-BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: N/A // $118,300

I won’t waste much time on Maxwell, we all know what he’s done in the past, and at the recent ODI World Cup.

I suppose the only thing to note is that he starts dirt cheap having missed last tournament due to injury.

His past Supercoach averages read:

BBL11: 63.6

BBL10: 62.6

BBL09: 64.6

BBL08: 60.8

He’s currently in just 57% of teams, what in the world are the other 43% doing?! Get him now.

Beau Webster // BAT-BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: 55.9 // $173,000

Due to the fact Webster won’t be available for the opening game I won’t go into detail on him.

The benefit for Supercoaches is that he should play game two of their double in round 1, so we will know his exact role for the team before potentially buying in round 3.

He could bat as high as number five and bowl overs, so he may have one of the best roles in Supercoach.

But it could also go dramatically the other way, so it’ll be good to have a free look.

Mark Steketee will also be relevant for the round 3 double once available.

Toyota Echo can’t fit the boys kit bag and tinnies after a win? Need a bigger car? To find the best rate on a new car loan, contact Pat and George from Mortgage Choice SCW to get you on the right track. Save $129 by mentioning SC Playbook for a FREE CONSULT!

Nathan Coulter-Nile // BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: 55.5 // $172,100

NCN has been a bit of a stalwart for the Stallions in the past, as age and injury have hit he’s been more utilised for double game weeks.

I don’t recall ever owning this bloke and being let down.

He is getting on though, and he’s always a huge risk of rotation, especially in the double game rounds when there’s a tight turnaround.

The benefit for the round one double this time around is that the games are spaced six days apart, so barring injury he’s every chance to back up.

He took a BBL career high 16 wickets last season to show he’s still in good touch.

He’s also capable of some big lower order hitting.

In recent years he’s had Supercoach averages of:

BBL12: 55.5

BBL11: 35.6

BBL10: 67.5

BBL09: 48.4

BBL08: 60.9

He’s at a remarkably low 2% ownership to begin the tournament and looms as a super POD to begin the campaign.

Embed from Getty Images

PODS

Marcus Stoinis // BAT-BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: 37.7 // $116,700

Will we see the return of the Stoin at his beastly best that saw him average a monster 96.9 Supercoach points back in BBL08?

He starts extremely cheap for a man of his credentials, but the reality is the price is justified on not only last season’s results, but season’s prior.

Last year he scored just 190 runs in his nine games, averaging 23.75 at a strike-rate of 154.47. This resulted in a 37.7 point Supercoach average.

The tournament prior he averaged just 28.8 Supercoach points in eight games.

Role is key, as is the game one line-up for the Stars.

How high does he bat, and what role will he have with the ball, if any?

We saw him bat in the middle order at stages last season which was detrimental to his Supercoach scoring.

If he bats top four, and is bowling regularly, he’ll be a near must-have, but will he?

Currently owned by 35% of all Supercoaches, I think I’m willing to gamble on a man of his ability with such high upside on the opening round double.

He can accumulate scores in so many different ways, so for it to go wrong on a double game round at just $116k, it has to go horribly wrong.

Liam Dawson // BAT-BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: N/A // $ TBC

The 33-year-old English all-rounder comes into the tournament in excellent form with genuine Supercoach prospects.

The issue like a lot of this Stars line-up is uncertainty around his role.

He’s highly gifted with both bat and ball, giving him the potential to land an outstanding role, but what will it be?

BATTING:

Dawson has two centuries in his past three long-form County cricket games, and a 57 in his most recent one-day fixture where he batted at seven for Hampshire.

Across 245 career T20s, he averages 18.33 at a strike-rate of 116.83, so not overly appetising, but certainly capable.

BOWLING:

He’s been taking bags of wickets of late, including a freakish outing of 7/15 off 6.5 overs just two one-day fixtures back.

Across his T20 career he averages 25.98 with the ball, with an economy of 7.31.

Look, there’d be a gamble in it, but there’s upside to the bold play. I’ll likely steer clear barring news of a peach role.

Embed from Getty Images

Usama Mir // BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: N/A // $125,000

The Pakistani leg-spinner didn’t have the best of World Cup campaigns, but his mere selection shows the class he boasts.

Across 95 career T20s he’s taken 96 wickets at an average of 25.18, with an economy of 7.83.

Any spinner on their day is capable of bagging a haul in T20 cricket, but I’ll be looking to others at a fairly awkward $125k price tag.

Haris Rauf // BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: N/A // $125,000

Rauf has opted to feature for the Stars over Pakistan for their Test series against Australia.

A win for Australia, and a win for Supercoach.

He’s battling for immediate clearance by Pakistan and may miss the opening game, so watch this space.

The quick had a decent World Cup campaign with 16 wickets for the tournament.

In 62 career T20 internationals for his country, he’s taken 83 wickets at an average of 21.71, with an economy of 8.04.

He oozes class and is a genuine option to begin Supercoach with.

Sam Harper // WKP-BAT // SC BBL12 Ave: 42.0 // $130,100

Yes, it comes down to role again.

Dual champion Andrew Langley currently has him in his team, so that’s saying something.

He’s a decent chance to open the batting which would make him a genuine play.

He had some blistering knocks last campaign and at 6% ownership is a high risk, high reward POD to start the season.

Embed from Getty Images

CHEAPIES

Nick Larkin // BAT // SC BBL12 Ave: 24.2 // $75,000

Larkin starts cheap and has a decent knock in him, but position in the side and batting order is a little uncertain.

Even if named to bat up the order in game one of the opening round double, does he play game two with Webster and Steketee back?

Look, probably, but not for me regardless of being named or not.

Melbourne Stars – Predicted Round 1 team and rationale via Max Bryden

Tom Rogers // BAT // SC BBL12 Ave: 37.4 // $116,000

Sam Harper // WKP-BAT // SC BBL12 Ave: 42.0 // $130,100

Marcus Stoinis // BAT-BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: 37.7 // $116,700

Glenn Maxwell // BAT-BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: N/A // $118,300

Hilton Cartwright // BAT // SC BBL12 Ave: 29.7 // $92,100

Campbell Kellaway // BAT // SC BBL12 Ave: 15.2 // $62,500

Liam Dawson // BAT-BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: N/A // $ TBC

Usama Mir  // BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: N/A // $125,000

Nathan Coulter-Nile  // BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: 55.5 // $172,100

Joel Paris // BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: 30.7 // $95,000

Haris Rauf // BWL // SC BBL12 Ave: N/A // $125,000

Unavailable/Reserves

Brody Couch, Beau Webster (PM’s XI), Nick Larkin, Joe Burns, Scott Boland (Test team)

Changes from last year

There’s never a dull moment at the Stars.

Sam Harper returns via Trade to the club which gave him a debut – he’s an intriguing prospect who will take the gloves and could open the batting.

Englishman Liam Dawson was announced as the team’s third overseas player for the season, replacing number 1 draft pick Harry Brook who has pulled out of the tournament.

Dawson is a left-arm orthodox bowler and a capable lower order batter who gives the side something they’ve been sorely missing – some batting depth.

Dawson is available for the first three games, and will be replaced after Christmas by Imad Wasim from game four onwards.

Dawson will compliment Pakistani Usama Mir who came through the draft who, aside from his leg spin bowling, is another capable hitter. The two should float around the number 7 and 8 spot.

Haris Rauf is the other overseas player and will spearhead the attack alongside new recruit after being cleared to start the season by Pakistan.

Mark Steketee has been somewhat of a quiet achiever at the Heat since the start of the Big Bash, achieving plenty without the big name profile. He’s a good price but misses Round 1 with PM’s XI duties.

Joel Paris has also joined and, if fit, could be a handy money maker. Arguably there’s been no bigger inclusion this tournament than Glenn Maxwell, who missed all of last season with injury.

Rationale

In theory this is an exceptionally balanced side. In Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Beau Webster and Hilton Cartwright, the side has 9 bowling options.

They could theoretically play an extra batter but probably don’t have the squad depth. The bowling depth does make it hard to know who will get overs and Maxwell is famous for underbowling himself in the tournament.

Stoinis is likely due a sidestrain after some consistent bowling for Australia during the on-going T20I series in India.

While he could open the batting, Stoinis probably bats in the middle order inline with his role at national level.