We’re all scrambling to finalise our SuperCoach squads ahead of the first game in Round 1, so firming up your premiums to build your side around is critical right now.
We’ve analysed the pick of the premos, nominating 5 of the best locks, 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.
Max: “Tom Curran. Bowling death, batting six, double game. The type of player you should be captaining in Round 1.”
Tim: “Sam Konstas. Looks set to open the batting for Sydney Thunder and is bottom dollar. Perfect bench pick to free up cash for Matt Short.”
Scobes: “Tom Curran, the villain of the BBL. Will bat in that 6-7 region and we all know stars are prone to a collapse! Will bowl his 4 overs, and at least half will be death overs.”
HB editor Ben Somerford’s top 5 locks below:
Tom Curran ($152k BAT/BWL)
No surprise given the above comments, with the Stars off-season recruit top of the list. He’s got the all-rounder role, likely bowling death overs, while batting 6/7 with the intention to be used facing balls in the last 3-5 overs with the bat.
He’s also an excellent VC pick for Round 1 and excellent BBL pedigree, averaging 73 and 71.5 SuperCoach points per game in seasons gone, albeit a while back. Hopefully with some injury-free continuity he’ll return to those lofty heights. The role is there and he’s fully fit.
Tom Rogers ($117k BWL)
The Renegades’ Rogers has gone under the radar for a guy on a Round 1 double, owned currently by less than 10%. Rogers is likely to assume his normal death overs role for the Gades, which puts him ahead of their other bowlers, in my humble opinion because that’s the time when wickets fall.
Note, Kane Richardson may also bowl in that phase, but you need two for the role. Rogers is also very under-priced for a guy who has twice averaged 50+ in recent seasons. Price, role and double.
Jhye Richardson ($130k BWL)
The Scorchers whippet has a Round 2 double and comes up against the Stars in Round 1, fresh from their batting collapse against the Gades in a midweek practice game, missing star bat Glenn Maxwell.
He’s also way under-priced after an underwhelming BBL|13, meaning he ticks loads of boxes. You’ll want at least 2 Scorchers bowlers for Round 1, for the reasons listed above, and his price makes him compelling along with wicket-taking ability.
Matt Short ($304k BAT/BWL)
Controversy alert! Maybe. But the way I see it, you’ll want Matt Short as your Round 2 and Round 4 captain (Adelaide have 2 doubles) and without Glenn Maxwell piggybacking you there with a Round 2 trade, there’s no way to get him unless you start him.
Some may argue that they’ll use the $300k more wisely in Round 1 and captain Jamie Overton instead but fading Short is a brave plan given he averaged 103 last year and 78.8 and 68.1 in the 2 seasons prior to that. He’s also owned by almost 50% of coaches, so it could really hurt you. He may not reach 103 in BBL|14, but something around the 70s is going to get you off to a flyer.
Beau Webster ($164k BAT/BWL)
I didn’t expect to have Beau in this list until his somewhat surprising release from the Test squad, enabling him to be available for Sunday’s game in Perth, while Josh Inglis stayed in Brisbane. It’s hardly ideal preparation but Slug enters BBL|14 in ripping form, so that’ll mitigate that.
With Maxwell out of the side, he’ll likely bat 3 and be required with the ball in some capacity. He bowled in 6 of the Stars’ 9 games last year, taking 6 wickets. He’s no lock for a big impact with the ball. Also with Maxy out, Webster is likely to field in the most dangerous spots, given he’s their next best catcher (Hilton Cartwright is their best outfielder), adding handy fielding points. He’s an all-round package and VC option.
