Spy Talk: Who you need for SC BBL14 run home

G’day all,

As I sit here anxiously awaiting an Aussie series clinching win over India in the SCG Test starting on Friday, I thought what better time to look ahead to a very exciting part of the BBL season.

From round 5 onwards (Friday 3 January), there are only two teams with a double game week over the final 5 rounds.

This means you can no longer simply load up on double game week players and will need to decide who to pick up in order to try and maximise points in single games.

Below I will delve into who I think are the top options and also try to unearth a bit of value as well as we likely wont be able to afford everyone, so someone with potential for points at lower value will become critical. It should be noted I haven’t mentioned players currently on international duty.

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The Elites

Jamie Overton – Averaging nearly 100 through 3 rounds. Incredible bowler, fields in some key positions and batting at 6 he not only strikes at an incredible rate he seems to rarely get out. Could well be the best player in Supercoach this season despite a poor start to his round 4 double, with his mate Matt Short pushing him if he can return to his best and from injury.

Matt Short – At a $50k discount I’m not sure you can afford to not own him especially when batting in Adelaide. He can walk out and crack a ton on any given day and that equates to about 145 SC points minimum before we even consider bowling and fielding.

He only bowled 1 over against Hobart which I’m hoping is just a matchup thing and he returns to 2-4 over in coming games when returning from his toe injury that kept him out of the Scorchers clash. If you do decide to leave him out due to his price and niggling injury you will need to go and do some jobs every time he bats.

It could pay off if he continues to not score at his best and bowling becomes less and less. Risky but an option nonetheless.

Glenn Maxwell – We all know what he is capable of and if you don’t then just know he is a straight up freak. Elite with the bat but also bowls and takes plenty of catches.

His role took a huge hit though in the win over the Sixers, batting at number six and failing to bowl an over. It may make him a watch for one more week to see if anything changes, I wouldn’t be buying him until we see his role switch back.

On the counter, Marcus Stoinis remained at number five and bowled his four overs which makes him more appealing despite uncertainty over his bowling role.

I think these two guys from Adelaide are my must own blokes. If I had to pick one I’d go Short narrowly, provided of course he’s fit to play. Maxwell is close when playing his more regular role of batting top four and bowling overs, but money may not allow this and the role all of a sudden looks shakey.

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The Allrounders

All rounders are great because you get two bites at the cherry. If they fail with the bat they get to bowl and vice versa.

Be aware that some of the below guys may not always do both.

The players immediately below are the ones that definitely do both on a normal day.

Should bat and bowl

Jack Edwards – Batting at 3 or 6 and bowling very well, he is going nowhere. That is until he hurt himself the other night against the Melbourne Stars. Fortunately he returned against the Stars and bowled his overs, he did drop down to number 6 though. One to monitor if he moves back up the order where he’ll become a must, even at 6 he has a great role.

Cooper Connolly – He has looked brilliant batting at 3 and his scoring has reflected this. I’d say he is a near lock at his price expect for the fact that he could drop back to 4 in the order if they want Hardie at 3 and he didn’t bowl a single ball against Brisbane.

He did bowl two overs though against the Strikers which is promising.

This is critical to his role and is the difference between an absolute lock in your side and one you can look to fade/exclude. Close watch.

Marcus Stoinis – Because he started so cheap he can still be brought/held without tying up your budget. He has looked impressive with the ball for mine and the skippers armband seems to have zoned him in mentally. I’ll very likely hold for the tournament at his price and dual bat/bowl role.

The availability of Beau Webster appears to impact his role with the ball which is worth noting.

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Bowl and likely bat

Tom Curran – Hasn’t been at his best yet this tournament with ball in hand but he is a straight up gun and can wield the willow as well.

You could look to go against him and hope the lack of bowling form continues, but be warned if he finds his rhythm and with his capability with the bat he could hurt you.

On top of this he will now be pretty cheap so he loses some trade value. Decisions to be made for coaches once he returns which is tipped to be in round 6 of Supercoach. I’m leaning towards keeping and backing his class if deemed fit to continue.

Will Sutherland – Such a quality player but batting at 7 means he may not always get a bat. This takes away some shine, but he is class and doesn’t mind a catch as an added bonus. In my side pending price moving forward.

Daniel Sams – Here is a guy who not onto plays the round 6 double but can then be held for the tournament if money, form and other options allow. He’s good with the ball and capable with the bat, although very inconsistent on this front. I do like him, but he bowled 3 overs against Melbourne and batted at 8. I’ll monitor for now.

Paul Walter – He hasn’t yet found the form of 2023/24 but he is good value and can contribute with both bat and ball. There are nights he bowls just the three overs and doesn’t bat, so that is something to keep in mind. The price may suit however.

Beau Webster – Monitor role if he returns for the Stars!

He bowled four overs and batted at 6 against Sydney. That’s somewhat juicy given how good he is down to $130k.

It’ll just depend on his availability moving forward, which will be hindered in the short-term after being confirmed to make his Test debut for Australia in the Sydney Test.

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Single role bowlers

These guys are valuable because bowlers can accumulate in a variety of ways and unlike batsmen one bad bowl doesn’t end their match!

I’ve listed my targets below –

Spencer Johnson – SJ returned the other night and looked truly world class. He was thumping the pill into the keeper’s gloves and I am a very happy owner. He won’t be going far from my side! He has plenty of dot balls, economy bonus and wicket taking ability plus bowls the death overs where batsmen are looking to launch (wickets!).

Ben Dwarshuis – Mr Consistent! Averages somewhere close to 55 nearly every year and has now added some late order hitting to his repertoire. Love him.

Tom Rogers – He is a genuine wicket taker and may be one to hold onto after the double, however he may also be worth bulk cash given his low breakeven which could turn him into a nice sell option to get one of the allrounders mentioned above or downgrade to free up funds. The Renegades bowlers have particular value with Marvel Stadium as their home deck which is ripe for wicket-taking.

Fergus O’Neill – Copy and paste on Tom Rogers above.

Xavier Bartlett – Another genuine wicket taker and when given the chance can strike some lofty blows. Might just be a little expensive but don’t undersell him and his ability to score big as seen with his enormous 137 against the Stars.

Jason Behrendorff – Another Mr Consistent this fella! Some risk of a rest at any given stage but he rarely lets owners down.

Akeal Hosein – He is a real talent and his style of spin has troubled BBL batsmen since his arrival. A price drop would be handy down to maybe $165-170k.

Tanveer Sangha – He hasn’t quite broken out as much as I had hoped but he looks a nice value target to get for the Thunder round 6 double and then keep in your side if you need someone who can contribute but not cost a bomb. He doesn’t bat at all so he can go low on days he doesn’t take a wicket. Cheaper value target if he’s cleared to return from injury.

Wes Agar and Lockie Ferguson – This pair will be popular with the Thunder double in round 6. They also benefit with home games at the Sydney Showground which is beneficial for wicket-taking.

Kane Richardson & Adam Zampa – Absolutely as cheap as chips due to below par tournaments so far. I’d be happy to play either on any given single game week especially when combined with some of the elite studs. Plenty would own for the Renegades round 4 double, so at the price point they may just be worth holding to free up funds elsewhere.

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Single role batsmen

Now these guys are risky because anyone can get a duck and that means a 0 for the round (barring a catch or two thanks Mitch Owen!). As such ill list just a few and be wary of getting too many.

Shai Hope – I love the look of him and you will already own him for the last round double.

Aaron Hardie – Doesn’t look like he will bowl due to injury, but a simply gun batsmen! Price the issue. Maybe a bit expensive, but he could be a good punt.

Nathan McSweeney – Given he is now facing… Anyone but J Bumrah it should be easy for him! He can occasionally roll the arm over for a cheeky over too. Good young player who may have turned things up a gear.

Mitch Owen – I mean he just scored a century so he has shown what he can do. High-risk, high-reward.

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Josh Brown – Rounds 5, 6 and 8 could see a Josh Brown explosion at any stage. I think he looks good but batting at Marvel is not ideal for anyone. He could be nice to use an auto-emergency bench loop because he has 100s in him. I think he looks good. Fraser-McGurk is in the same mold but Brown is the one for me at the moment if picking between the two.

Jacob Bethell – There is a lot of hype around him. I must admit I haven’t seen much of him but at his price he might just be ideal. Again though he plays at Marvel for his home games! Not good.

Tim Siefert – Avoid as a trade in! Too expensive post double game week! Marvel home ground. Perfect sell soon for owners.

As you can see batsmen aren’t really it and you only need to use them if necessary, which would be to fill a roster spot you can’t get an allrounder in for and of course a wicket-keeper.

Good luck for the run home. Pick a balanced risk-free team and you will fly. Don’t be afraid to run a cheaper bench if needed to allow for a stacked starting line-up. Especially given our lowest score drops out.

Cheers