Round 1 Non-Double Premiums – The Case For & Against 10 Options
Every shrewd BBL SuperCoach is filling up their Round 1 team with plenty of Brisbane Heat and Sydney Sixers’ players on the double but one of the big debates is which non-R1-double premiums to grab.
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Depending on your mix of Heat/Sixers players, there’s probably only salary cap space for three or four premos not on the Round 1 double, so you’ll need to decide who to fade.
There’s a lot to consider, including budget, doubles, byes, opposition, form, injury history and changing roles. Honeyball has put together a list of pros and cons to help you consider your options.
Daniel Sams $203k BAT/BWL
Sams had the fourth highest average (65.2) overall last season, aided by a more favourable batting role despite battling a few injuries, but it seems some coaches are being scared off by his high price, given he’s currently at 30% ownership.
It’s worth pointing out despite a better batting role last season, he actually had a better average in BBL|09 of 68.5 during an injury-free campaign. The Thunder appear weaker in the batting department this season with Callum Ferguson departed with no obvious replacement, so Sams could still average higher than those seasons. The Thunder have no bye all season, but the big issue is Sams’ double game is not until Round 10 and his starting price is very steep.
Jhye Richardson $201k BWL
The Scorchers fast bowler scored the most points of any player in BBL|10 (aided by playing 17 games), storming home late in the regular season to become a genuine captaincy option. He took bulk wickets and chipped in with handy runs batting at around seven or eight for Perth.
But there are some injury concerns about Richardson who had a back spasm during a Sheffield Shield game last week and has endured shoulder problems for a while. The Scorchers have doubles in Round 4 and Round 9, before a Round 11 bye. The starting price and injury worry is enough to scare most off.
Rashid Khan $198k BWL
The Afghan spinner dominates wherever he goes, having averaged almost 50 SC points per game in the UAE leg of the recently concluded IPL. He also just started his T20 World Cup with a 4fa against Scotland. His BBL track record is exceptional too, averaging 63.6 and 67.2 the past two seasons.
English all-rounder George Garton’s arrival at Adelaide means Rashid may be relegated to bat eight but they do tend to elevate him when they need quick runs late. The Strikers also play the lowly Renegades first up, where Rashid may dine out. Adelaide has a double in Round 2, when they play the Gades again, so starting with Rashid could be shrewd given you’ll want to trade him in for that, before their Round 3 bye when you could flick him to a Stars premo on their double.
Glenn Maxwell $195k BAT/BWL
Maxwell is currently the third most owned player behind Josh Philippe (on the double) and Aaron Finch (priced at a bargain $62k), likely buoyed by his strong IPL form and familiarity. The Stars skipper averaged 69.88 SC points in the UAE leg of the IPL, with four half-centuries and started the T20 World Cup well too.
Maxwell averaged 62.6 and 64.6 over the past two seasons and has a high ceiling. The Stars have their double in Round 3, meaning you’ll want Maxy early, before they have the bye in Round 4 when you could ditch him for a Scorcher on their double. Waiting until Round 3 for his double isn’t ideal at that price but his form is compelling.
Read our IPL form guide with SuperCoach numbers on the BBL|11 cohort.
Nathan Coulter-Nile $189k BWL
The Stars quick hasn’t been talked about much but he had the highest average (67.5) of any player last BBL season except for Marnus Labuschagne. Coulter-Nile’s issue is he is injury prone and regularly rested by the Stars.
Like with Maxwell, his double isn’t until Round 3 either, so he’s not someone you’d want to start with. He did average 71 SC points across four games in the UAE leg of the IPL and has a very high ceiling but can be volatile.
Alex Hales $183k BAT
The Thunder’s English opener produced some scintillating scores last season which will be alluring. But like mentioned with Sams, the Thunder’s double is not until Round 10 and as a bat-only at a high price, that’s a huge risk for your Round 1 side. He will burn coaches either way.
D’Arcy Short $179k BAT/BWL
Another one who’s not garnered much discussion, likely due to the Hurricanes’ double not coming until Round 6, Short may have an improved role this season, with all-rounders James Faulkner, Keemo Paul and Will Jacks all gone, meaning he may be required to bowl more. May also be aided by having Matthew Wade open alongside him regularly too, with less pressure to start fast.
Alex Carey $163k BAT/WKP
With Phil Salt not likely to return, and definitely not early having signed to play in the T10 League, and Travis Head set for Ashes selection, Carey could be elevated up the Strikers’ batting order, offering up big opportunities for points. Adelaide’s double is Round 2 too, but all that’s irrelevant if he’s called into the Ashes or Australia A squads, which seems likely as back-up wicketkeeper given Wade’s demotion from the national set-up.
Marcus Stoinis $163k BAT/BWL
Looms as one of the bargains of the new season, assuming he is fit to bowl in Round 1, given his role and fast-scoring ability opening the batting. After a hamstring injury during the IPL, the Stars all-rounder bowled in one of Australia’s T20 World Cup games, so that’s positive but you never know with injury-prone Stoinis. The Stars are yet to confirm their imports either, which may impact their bowling options too. You’ll want him for their Round 3 double, but whether he’s bowling in Round 1 is the key.
Mitch Marsh $132k BAT/BWL
Another looming bargain is the Scorchers all-rounder who isn’t priced as a premium (due to injuries limiting his ability to bowl in the second half of last season) but should be regarded as one given his all-round quality. Marsh is currently the sixth most owned player and for good reason, given he’s been back bowling for months and dominating for Australia in the lead-up to the T20 World Cup. He is injury prone so needs to be monitored prior to Round 1 but will be hard to fade at that price.
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