Team announcement: SC Spy to double down early

• POSITIONAL ANALYSIS: Breakdown of key wicketkeeper options
• SQUAD BREAKDOWN: Melbourne Stars analysis, predicted XI

Hey troops,

My initial squad is absolutely choc full of blokes who will have a double game week either in Round 1 or 2.

The idea will be then to bring in three strikers players for Round 2 and then another one or two for Round 3.

Essentially my aim is to have double scoring options everywhere and then after this aim to build on a hot start by bringing in the form players and aim for a POD or two as well.

Really taking a close look at form over the opening three rounds will be critical.

With that being said I’ve laid out my initial squad below while also mentioning who else I am considering.

Sign up to SC Playbook for our premium SuperCoach Big Bash content for stacks of extra articles every round in the 2020/21 season.

Embed from Getty Images

WICKETKEEPER

Ben McDermott / Peter Handscomb

This will be entirely dependent on where they are named to bat on the opening night. If top 4, I think one goes in with McDermott my preference with a double game week in Round 2. Position 5 or below and I may reconsider.

Handscomb’s T20 record is only okay, so he is far from an auto selection but has to be looked at as we know what he can do when he is on. Both are quite affordable.

I also have Josh Inglis in mind who is a real talent and Josh Philippe has to be considered, but I may look to anti-pod Josh and hope he has a few early failures with the bat!

Baxter Holt

The new SuperCoach cult hero who probably won’t play. He could be highly owned due to his cheap price to free up money and also allowing you to use him for the vice-captain loophole which is a must in BBL whenever you are given the opportunity.

Embed from Getty Images

BATSMEN

Marcus Stoinis

Will be my Round 1 captain! He was unbelievable with the bat last year and I am hopeful he may roll the arm over a bit more as well. Lock him in!

Glenn Maxwell

Second picked and also a captaincy option as he is such a talent as we all know. I’m hoping he bowls his 3-4 overs, but if not we know what he can do with the bat and in the field. It would be bold to leave him out of Round 1 with a double game at hand.

Nick Larkin/Hilton Cartwright

My third Stars player if named in the top 4 for their opening clash. Larkin has an excellent career record, so if he is given the opportunity I love him at the price before moving him on before the Stars Round 3 bye.

Cartwright would be an option if named to bat up high, but I prefer Larkin. If both are not named in the top 4 I will look to Chris Lynn or similar as a single game option with upside.

Watch live international cricket this summer through Bet365, along with over 200,000 sporting events each year and the best odds in sport and racing, including the world famous ‘Odds Drift Protector’.

Will Jacks

Jacks is a young Pommie fella who scores fast and has just started to bowl recently with some success. Absolutely worth the pick with a DGW in Round 2 and hopefully he remains somewhat of a POD.

Usman Khawaja

Khawaja is not locked in yet, but he is very cheap after a poor tournament last year. He has been absolutely blistering in the past and has a point to prove. It’s likely either him or Lynn at this stage for my 5^th spot.

Bench batsmen

To be decided, but I will look to start with Matty Short and hope he plays a big role for the Strikers in Round 2 and 3 DGWs.

The other spot is open, but I currently have Ashton Turner who could be an absolute steal!

Embed from Getty Images

BOWLERS

D’Arcy Short

GUN! There may have been a question mark on starting with him if his draw was unkind, but with a DGW in Round 2 I can’t leave him out.

Let’s hope to see him continue his dominance because I bloody love watching him!!

The only risk is three early poor performances could see a big price drop, but leave him out at your own peril and at the very least aim to have him for Round 2.

Riley Meredith

Riley the wicket taker. He’s currently low ownership, so I’m hoping he will be a POD and with the early DGW and upside I am all about him.

Embed from Getty Images

Adam Zampa

A super safe option for mine with the opening round double. Zampa is a wicket taking spinner who is class. Lock him in.

Zahir Khan – A young spinner who I am grabbing with open arms as my 5^th Stars player.

Nathan Coulter-Nile

He is a real talent and given his schedule he is an excellent early pick. I’m hoping he can do some damage with the ball and middle order hitting.

Bench

Absolute up for grabs. I only have place holders there at the moment. But they will be cheap to allow my starting squad to be at max capacity for a hot start!

Embed from Getty Images

SUMMING UP

So it’s six Stars players at this stage and four Hurricanes to start with.

That’s 10 of 11 double game week players. Round 2 will likely see four Hurricanes and four Strikers on their DGWs, whilst Round 3 will allow me to have 5-6 Strikers for their second consecutive DGW.

I will want the likes of Rashid Khan, Jakey Weatherald, Alex Carey and co depending on availability following the Aussie A matches.

After this I can balance out my squad with form players with an eye to the next set of DGWs.

For Round 1, I may opt to drop one Hurricane in the keeper position and one Star (Larkin/Cartwright) if required.

However it will all depend on team selections in the opening week of the competition.

To be honest, with a bunch of ‘normal’ rounds to follow with minimum byes or doubles it makes sense to me to start hot and utilise the early DGW draw before rebuilding your squad for the middle rounds.

I mean do you want McDermott/Larkin twice or someone like Lynn once is the question you need to ask yourself?

Let me know your thoughts troops and wherever or not you think I need more or less from the Stars and Hurricanes squads.

Let’s chat some cricket on Twitter @SCSpy1, Facebook at SC Playbook or on our website in the comments section of the article.

Let’s goooo!