Expert Panel: SuperCoach guns discuss Round 8 must-haves & rain factor
Round 8 starts on Thursday with dilemmas galore for SuperCoaches thanks to the Heat and Thunder doubles combined with the looming forecast for Thursday’s Gold Coast game and Daniel Sams’ concussion.
On the double, Daniel Sams ($199k BAT/BWL) has been ruled out of both of the Thunder’s Round 8 games, creating a quandary who those who already own him and the rest who were planning on getting him at a high price. Who to turn to?
There’s also the issue of the Afghans, who we’ve learned will be staying longer than expected, with Renegades coach Michael Klinger indicating he expects Mohammad Nabi ($127k BAT/BWL) to be available for their game on January 14. As a result, Mujeeb Ur Rahman ($204k BWL) and Rashid Khan ($207k BWL) are suddenly much more attractive.
Plus Mujeeb’s Heat are on the double this round, along with the Thunder, who play two games in three days in Perth where the weather is fine.
The forecast for the Heat’s two games on the Gold Coast is less positive, particularly the Thursday game with 20-40mm of rain.
As a result, Honeyball thought it’d be wise to assemble the experts to discuss the big issues this round, with Adelaide-based public servant Brice Mitchell (currently ranked 20th) and Melbourne-based real estate agent Scott ‘Catta’ Anderson (currently ranked 41st).
HB: Which Heat and Thunder players are essential for the double?
Brice: I don’t think there are any essential (“must have”) buys for Round 8 when all factors are considered (price, rain implications etc), although Sams would have been one if he was playing.
Alex Hales ($205k BAT), Usman Khawaja ($112k BAT), Chris Lynn ($144k BAT) and Jack Wildermuth ($156k BAT/BWL) are my preferred top options. Callum Ferguson ($137k BAT) and Sam Billings ($125k WKP/BAT) are solid alternatives to Hales if you don’t want to fork out the big bucks.
I don’t like many bowling options at the Thunder, apart from Tanveer Sangha ($163k BWL) who isn’t cheap anymore (after he started at $42k), but he has been a revelation in BBL10.
There are also plenty of good differential or speculative picks that could turn out great. Burns is cheap and looks settled into the Heat’s top four, so that could make him a good cash cow, as well as bring points in Round 8.
Max Bryant ($133k BAT) has found some form over the last few rounds, although has the odd brain fade which can impact his scoring. Then there is Ben Cutting ($122k BAT/BWL) who has had a mediocre BBL|10, but always has the potential to score big if he scores 20+ with the bat and snags 1-2 wickets with his limited overs. I don’t expect him to take Sams’ role but the extra responsibility late in the Thunder’s innings could prove rewarding.
If rain stays away, I also like Mujeeb who bowls in the middle of the innings.
Catta: Weather permitting, Mujeeb is the number one selection. Wildermuth being DPP gives you four chances of scoring over two games plus fielding, his five-game average heading into DGW of 52.8 is solid.
Lynn although a roller coaster selection and coming off a hamstring, absolute value for potential with his upside with the new SC scoring system. Mark Steketee ($158k BWL) going under the radar, not the high-profile player of the BBL but with a 65 average over his last five games he’s one to seriously consider.
Hales looks to have found form at the right time, although pricey if he goes off you want to be riding that score – 75.4 average over his last five games. Chris Green ($166k BWL) at 6’4 is a spinner that tweaks it from a serious height, bowls in the power surge and death so can get cheap wickets – 56 average over his last five games including a donut v Perth.
Sangha although expensive, is one of the finds of BBL|10. Not only does he have a great temperament at 19-years-old – 67.6 average over his last five games I’d consider strongly.
HB: Can you plan for the weather?
Catta: Weather is one of the things we cannot control, but we can plan around it so trade as late as you can preferably just before the games effected! With weather looking great in Perth for the Thunder’s DGW compared to weather looking poor especially for the first Heat DGW game on the Gold Coast, I’d be leaning towards Thunder players in Round 8 unless the weather improves
Brice: It’s good to have the weather in the back of your mind when planning trades, but it can hurt if you assume too much either way (ie avoiding a good player cause of rain, or grabbing too many players from a game that could be impacted). It’s good to have trades in reserve (if possible) so that you can adjust plans during the round.
It looks like the Heat v Stars game could be most affected by the rain. Bowlers need to bowl three overs to get economy rate bonus, and you only get 20 points for wickets this year, so in a reduced overs game, I prefer to target opening batters (and bowlers) from the first innings.
HB: Have you begun planning for the next double in Round 10 for the Scorchers and the Stars?
Brice: I have been targeting Scorchers and Stars in the leadup to the last two double game rounds, and have grabbed Mitch Marsh ($163k BAT/BWL) and Andrew Tye ($117k BWL) already.
It’s not too early (or late) to start picking up players for Round 10. In fact, with rumours of Marcus Stoinis ($156k BAT/BWL) bowling soon, and his form with the bat in Round 7, it makes him a must buy this Round if rains stays away.
Catta: Absolutely already started planning, as it’s the final DGW of BBL|10 so load up and score the most you can is my early thoughts! Melbourne Stars play both at the MCG, so watch the weather and Perth Scorchers play one at the SCG (at this stage) and one at Marvel where weather has no effect on games.
HB: Thanks heaps for your time gents, good luck in Round 8 and beyond!