BBL Supercoach Player Watchlist | Round 2

Round 1 of BBL Supercoach was a real “where were you when” moment as the rain came down right before the start of the season.

If you were like me and sitting by your phone looking at the apocalyptic rain in Perth for the opening game whilst hurriedly moving Sixers out of your team, you might be feeling a little pain! 

But if you were simply enjoying life and trusting your preseason planning, you might be sitting pretty.

Regardless, having the BBL back on our screens every night is the real winner.

And while it’s still less than a week since the first ball was bowled, we’re already into Round 2.

Embed from Getty Images

We’re here to talk doubles, but before we do, here’s a brain dump of my observations on the players and teams from Round 1.

• Jack Edwards can be a season hold: it’s a great role for the all-rounder, and while he won’t always face heaps of deliveries at number 6, his bowling is good enough to make him a potential keeper
• Cooper Connolly could be the best batter in the comp: last year Connolly was a surprising leading run-scorer, but this year should come as no shock. He’s a gun with a good draw who will be a must for their double game week
• Aaron Hardie: just buy him. The role is amazing, and he’s class.
• Wildermuth has a gun role, but it’s not forever: there’s no doubting Wildermuth’s role was impressive in Game 1, but he had a few lucky bounces of the ball. His value is going to be in the short term, not the season.

Embed from Getty Images

• Brisbane look like the spoon favourites: so many injuries to their bowling unit and a young batting list might make it a difficult season for the Heat, especially while they wait for Usman, Neser and Marnus to be available.
• The Renegades were flattered: yes, they’ve got some firepower with the bat, but it’s hard to gauge if there’s any talent at the Gades, given they were facing the Heat. Worrying signs with how many their attack conceded late in the game.
• McDermott might be set and forget: the ‘Canes cheapie keeper has batted at 3 and 4 in the first two games and looked incredible. Knowing how poor the keeper position is, he’s looking like an indefinite hold.
• Matt Short’s prominence might be on the decline: this isn’t a knock on Short’s batting, but the bowling attack in Adelaide is vastly improved, and his offies might not be needed anymore.

Embed from Getty Images

• Jamie Overton can be the best player in Supercoach (again). Batting 6, bowling death, and doing both things at a high level is a recipe for success. If his team is better this year – which they look – that will only help him.
• It’s still possible to fade bat-only players: if you went against Mitch Owen and Tim David, you’ve probably come out on top in Round 1. Batters remain risky.
• Rehan Ahmed and Rishad Hossein could be sells: as nice as it is to hold your Hurricanes until after Round 3, it’s not always feasible given form, roles, and price changes. There’s been some nice signs for the two Hobart internationals, but neither performed at their price tag. Sell if you need.
• Marcus ‘hulk’ Stoinis is back? The Stars lineup for Game 1 was a great sign for the bowling prospects of Stoinis and Maxwell. If Stoinis is bowling more, bowling death, and batting 4 he’s straightaway got the potential to be the best player in Supercoach.

Now on to the Double Round Targets for Round 2.

Become a member of the SC Playbook community by subscribing for less than $2 per week! Gain access to additional premium articles on site every week, our Whatsapp community, prize money and plenty more. Check it out here.

Double game + strategy chat

Round 2 sees two teams on the double in the Brisbane Heat and the Sydney Thunder. 

The Heat take on the Perth Scorchers at the Gabba in the first match of the round, the Thunder take on the Sydney Sixers at the Showgrounds in Game 2, before the two sides clash in the fourth game of the round in Manuka.

With games at the Gabba and Manuka for the Heat, typically you’d consider batsmen.

Whilst it’s the opposite for the Thunder, with their opening match being the typically low-scoring Showgrounds to start off with.

The fact that the two teams play each other is always something to take note of.

Logic will tell you that it can diminish your returns overall, as rarely do we see both sides thriving for Supercoach in the same fixture.

Embed from Getty Images

As such, depending on how many Thunder or Heat players you already own, this could be a week to try and get ahead of the next double game week by considering any targets from the Melbourne Stars, cheapies set to make huge cash, or those players with roles that are good enough to be played on the single.

The ‘Canes have the double in Round 3 as well, but it’s ok to be selling some of your owned prospects if their role isn’t quite what you thought it was.

Yes, they play three games in the next two rounds, but that also means they’ve got bigger breakevens to meet compared to other players, too.

Cash loss isn’t the be-all and all in BBL Supercoach, but it’s certainly important to consider, given there’s only really a handful of players who are ‘season keepers’ and you will need to be trading guys out at some point.

Embed from Getty Images

Buy

Shadab Khan – BAT/BWL – Sydney Thunder

Arguably the second-best role in the game.

Get him in, and consider him as your VC.

Daniel Sams – BAT/BWL – Sydney Thunder

Another VC option.

Sams looked great in his season debut and has usurped Chris Green in the batting order back to his preferred number 7.

He will also bowl death overs, so he should be in the wickets.

Embed from Getty Images

Xavier Bartlett – BWL- Brisbane Heat

I called him the next great white ball bowler in Australia in preseason, and he looked every part in the Heat’s first game.

He also came in at number 7, which was encouraging for the coach’s impression of his batting.

Jack Wildermuth – BAT/BWL – Brisbane Heat

We had the mail on his elevation to opener in preseason, and if he keeps that up, he could be a long hold.

His Round 1 performance was inflated by the extra over he gained after Shaheen Afridi was pulled from the attack, but worse case for Wildermuth is him generating a bit of cash before a sell in Round 3.

Embed from Getty Images

Jack Edwards – BAT/BWL – Sydney Sixers 

Bowling death, batting 6, and looking good while doing it.

Is this his breakout season?

The Sixers have no double until Round 5, but he’s got the role to justify buying now before you’re spending $180k+ to pick him up in a few rounds’ time.

Marcus Stoinis – BAT/BWL – Melbourne Stars

Seeing four frontline bowlers named by the Stars for Game 1, I immediately brought Stoinis into my side.

He’s fit, looking good, and bowling well.

He’ll be a must in Round 3, provided things stay the same, so getting him discounted with a game on a flat Adelaide Oval could be a masterstroke.

Embed from Getty Images

Aaron Hardie – BAT/BWL – Perth Scorchers

Batting four and bowling overs in the Power Play is a recipe for Supercoach points.

Just buy him.

Tanveer Sangha – BWL – Sydney Thunder

Reliable contributor capable of taking a big bag of wickets.

Should bowl all his overs.

Chris Green – BAT/BWL – Sydney Thunder

Arguably, at an inflated price, having batted two positions higher last season at 6, if you overlook that fact, you can still buy a classy bowler who could score some runs from number 8.

Embed from Getty Images

Consider

Nathan McSweeney – BAT – Brisbane Heat

A solid batter who could chip in with the occasional over of spin.

Cameron Bancroft – WKT/BAT – Sydney Thunder

Will enter the round with a low breakeven, but historically not a consistent T20 threat.

Relatively risk-free with his breakeven though.

Colin Munro – BAT – Brisbane Heat

If you follow the strategy of buying the best batsman from the team on the double, that could be Munro.

David Warner – BAT – Sydney Thunder

Needs to be named after a back issue saw him miss their first game, but Warner is seriously good.

Embed from Getty Images

Sam Konstas – BAT – Sydney Thunder

Might have an injury picked up in Game 1, but is always a decent alternative to consider as an opener.

Shaheen Afridi – BWL – Brisbane Heat

If you can forgive the dismal opener in Geelong, Shaheen remains a world-class bowler who should bowl the big overs for his club.

Potentially one to consider if you see the Heat bowling first.

Tom Andrews – BWL – Sydney Thunder

Missed selection for the Thunder’s first game, but he needs to be mentioned off the back of his amazing returns at Showgrounds stadium last season.

Left-arm spinners have been dominant, and he won’t be on many radars, but could get dropped for Game 2.

Matt Renshaw – BAT – Brisbane Heat

Has been on a heater this summer in other formats and is a classy white ball batter.

Embed from Getty Images

Campbell Kellaway – BAT – Melbourne Stars

A round 3 double coming up, a promotion to number 3 in the order, and cash coming in off the back of a -36 breakeven.

We don’t love chasing cheapie batters, but this is one of the future stars of Australian cricket, so it could be worth it.

Peter Siddle – BWL – Melbourne Stars

Low breakeven, good role, Round 3 double game week.

A lot to like about P Siddy, who keeps turning back the clock in a side that looks to have great potential.

Avoid

Jimmy Pierson – WKT/BAT – Brisbane Heat

If he’s named to open, maybe.

But otherwise Pierson’s role just isn’t going to be conducive to consistent points.

Embed from Getty Images

Hugh Weibgen – BAT/BWL – Brisbane Heat

Again, a number 6 batter who doesn’t bowl isn’t going to consistently score well for Supercoach.

Don’t get sucked in unless you’re desperate for cash.

Reece Topley – BWL – Sydney Thunder

He was barely used in the Thunder’s first game despite being the International.

My Plans

I will be monitoring the weather to help determine exactly who I trade out, but as it stands, it’s likely to be a few Canes moving on, given I swapped my Sixers to extra Hurricanes with the rain in Game 1.

OUT: Rehan Ahmed, Rishad Hossein, Riley Meredith
IN: Jack Edwards, Tanveer Sangha, David Warner