SuperCoach BBL is open and the season proper is approaching. We appreciate it’s tough to stay across all the news this early, so we’ll aggregate all the important stuff in one spot each week in the lead-up to Round 1.
Top of the list was the news from SuperCoach BBL HQ that Matt Short ($197k B/B) has belatedly received DPP status, meaning he is now a batsman/bowler, which makes him more attractive on that Round 1 double for the Adelaide Strikers.
SIGNING NEWS
There were no major pieces of recruitment this week, although the Sydney Sixers confirmed the addition of spinner Todd Murphy (BWL) to its 18-man squad having been a replacement player last season for Steve O’Keefe. He played four BBL|11 games and more recently has taken five wickets in four Marsh Cup games for Victoria, with an average of 32 and economy rate of 4.84.
The Melbourne Renegades confirmed the re-signing of Marcus Harris (BAT) fresh from a century for Victoria in the Marsh Cup. Gades GM James Rosengarten said: “Marcus is a quality player… He adds to the strength of our batting group, which boasts a core group of experienced players and some exciting young talent on the rise.”
Check out our list of all the updated squads, with ins and outs
AVAILABILITY ISSUES
Nothing major has popped up with the T20 World Cup taking the focus of national teams, although England named their squad for the ODI series against Australia from November 17-22. That won’t clash with the BBL, but it’s indicative of the squad they’ll likely select for the South Africa ODI series which clashes with the final BBL regular season round and finals.
In saying that, of the relevant players selected, James Vince ($99k BAT), Chris Jordan ($125k BWL), Sam Billings ($152k W/B) and Phil Salt ($125k BAT) were all expected to be unavailable for the second half of the BBL season anyway due to ILT20 and SA-20 commitments. Sydney Thunder recruit David Willey ($149k B/B) is the only one named who was expected to have full BBL availability. For now, this is simply a watch this space and not overly relevant to Round 1 SuperCoach plans.
INJURY NEWS
Nothing major going on in this department. Adam Zampa ($103k BWL) and Matthew Wade ($120k B/W) both contracted COVID-19 at the T20 World Cup. That arguably makes them less likely to get it during BBL.
Mitch Marsh ($246k B/B) returned to bowling at the T20 World Cup, trundling down one over against Sri Lanka and having a catch dropped by Pat Cummins. Marsh is a great SC BBL option if batting and bowling.
FORM GUIDE
In the T20 World Cup, Thunder import Rilee Rossouw ($105k BAT) grabbed our interest with a blazing 109 form 56 balls against Bangladesh. He’s been in remarkable form this calendar year, finishing with the second most runs in the 2022 UK T20 Blast for Somerset. With the Thunder having back-to-back doubles first up, he’s firming as a must-have.
Stars bargain Marcus Stoinis ($83k B/B) smashed 59* from 18 balls against Sri Lanka in a Player of the Match display on Tuesday too.
In the Marsh Cup, the aforementioned Marcus Harris (BAT) made 142* from 139 balls against Tasmania on Wednesday. Gades all-rounder Jack Prestwidge ($80k B/B) had some good outings taking 3-52 (8) and 2-48 (7) for Victoria, while Matt Short ($197k B/B) whacked 75 from 59 balls against WA.
Josh Philippe ($168k W/B) (81 from 50) and Cameron Bancroft ($91k B/W) (78 from 77) found form for WA with the bat and Andrew Tye ($156k BWL) (3-46 (7)) was good with the ball.
Left-handed batsman Jake Doran is unsigned by an BBL franchise but just peeled off back-to-back centuries for Tasmania, so he’s one to monitor.
Check out our fixture analysis, listing all the doubles and byes, and players you should target
