We’re all scrambling to finalise our SuperCoach squads ahead of the first game in Round 1, but locking in some cheapies always plays a big part in dictating structure.
So we’ve analysed the pick of the cheapies, nominating 5 of the best, plus called in the experts – HB’s Nathan Scoble, SC Playbook’s Max Bryden and Herald Sun’s Tim Michell – for their opinions to start.
Note, Adam Zampa and Marcus Stoinis are obvious cheapies, given their price, pedigree and Round 1 doubles, so we’ve looked beyond that.
Scobes: “Hamish McKenzie is the man who came from Perth to the Big Smoke. Did extremely well for Perth when needed and left for more opportunity. With Mir out of the side for the initial games and Maxwell not playing first up, McKenzie is guaranteed to bowl his overs, and can swing the bat when needed.”
Max: “Jack Wildermuth. Set to replace Neser for at least three rounds, at his price he’s the perfect bench bat loop.”
Tim: “Hamish McKenzie. Been bowling really well for Western Australia and should get a run as the Stars’ main spinner until Usama Mir arrives in Round 3.”
HB editor Ben Somerford’s top 5 cheapies below:
Sam Konstas ($39k BAT)
The word out of the Thunder camp is that the 19-year-old red-ball sensation will get first crack at opening alongside David Warner. That’s a great role for a $39k option, full of confidence and positive form. If he fails a few times, he could find his way out of the team but we do anticipate Cam Bancroft will only shuffle to first drop, which eases those worries.
The Thunder don’t have an early double, but hopefully you can stash Konstas away as a cash generator, but also loop him later on when they have a run of early games in rounds.
Jack Wildermuth ($58k BAT/BWL)
Wildermuth looks set to assume the injured Michael Neser’s role in the Heat line-up, likely batting 6/7/8 and bowl 2-4 overs. That’s a brilliant role for someone at his price, with some pedigree, having scored big SuperCoach points a few years back.
Injuries have curtailed his progress in recent times, but he is good enough with that role to be a great cash generator and decent on-field option for the Heat’s Round 3 double. The fact that left-armer Spencer Johnson will miss Brisbane’s first game thrusts Wildermuth into more importance too.
Hamish McKenzie ($69k BWL)
There’s a lot of hype around McKenzie but most pleasingly there’s plenty coming from within the Stars’ camp with positive comments from coach Peter Moores and captain Marcus Stoinis about him. He’ll get first crack as their preferred spinner while Pakistani Usama Mir is out, likely until Round 3.
His job security hinges on early performance with Mir looming, but McKenzie is a left-arm wrist spinner and the Stars will look to use him regularly at the MCG. They’ve never adequately replaced Adam Zampa for that purpose. The Stars, of course, have a Round 1 double before Mir arrives, so McKenzie is an on-field option or loopable too.
Brendan Doggett ($71k BWL)
Doggett has gone under the radar, given his low profile but also with coaches possibly turned off by his Australia Test squad call-up. But this guy could be the Strikers’ best bowler this season, with a likely death overs role given they’ve lost Rashid Khan, David Payne and Wes Agar.
His Aussie Test call-up also shows he’s in good form and well regarded. With Round 2 and Round 4 doubles, Doggett looks an easy pick to at least have on your Round 1 bench, targeting that Round 2 double. There’s scope to get a major leg-up on other sides if you get him early, before his price goes up for the Adelaide doubles.
Matt Renshaw ($68k BAT)
I don’t love picking bat-onlys but Renshaw has a good top 4 batting role in a side lacking batting depth while Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney are away on Test duty for the first 6 rounds.
He’s also in some decent domestic form, scoring 122 for Queensland against Tasmania earlier this month in the One-Day Cup. Brisbane have a looming Round 3 double, where he should become very relevant. One good early score and his price will have jumped by then.
