Updated BBL12 predicted teams: Best XI for every club

Gee things can change quick.

In the space of a week we’ve lost two guns who would’ve been in a lot of coaches starting teams. But as the SC gods taketh, they often will giveth in then form of cheapies.

Here’s our second crack at the predicted XI for each side to help you with building your team and trade targets.

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We’ve tried to account for expected international call-ups, injuries and form as much as possible and will keep this article updated as news comes to light. 

For each team, we’ve also called out the things to watch out for with selections which could have the most SuperCoach relevance. Let’s dive in.

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Adelaide Strikers

Adelaide Strikers

Matt Short

Chris Lynn

Jake Weatherald

Adam Hose

Colin de Grandhomme

Tom Kelly

Harry Nielsen

Rashid Khan

Henry Thornton

Peter Siddle

Harry Conway

Other Players:

Wes Agar

Cameron Boyce

Alex Carey

Travis Head

Ryan Gibson

Henry Hunt

Ben Manenti

Summary

The Strikers have drafted well this season, helping fill some needs in their middle order. 

This is a team few will remember went within a whisker of qualifying for the grand final last season off the back of a red-hot finish to the regular season and finals campaign, and our expectation is they’ll try keep the formula that was successful for them. And what was that formula?

The Strikers changed tact for the final four matches of the regular season bringing in firebrand Henry Thornton and Harry Conway to support Peter Siddle. 

These three deserve their spot to start the season which might be tough news for Wes Agar and Cameron Boyce who are outside the best XI right now.

What’s changed 

Not a lot. Adam Hose and Colin de Grandhomme are the new INTL recruits and should bat in the middle order. Chris Lynn has joined from the Brisbane Heat and will bat in the top 3 for the first part of the year.

What to watch for

• Peter Siddle isn’t in SuperCoach yet, but we expect him to rejoin the Strikers this season
• Chris Lynn’s got an amazing record at the Adelaide Oval which should be factored in – getting a player with a DGW in round 1 at his price is almost too good to ignore.
• Colin de Grandhomme could also have a perfect role if he is called on regularly to bowl, but he’s more in the Moises Henriques mould of all-rounder at this stage of his career. Keep an eye on team sheets as if he’s batting at 4, he’ll likely be worth a punt in round 1. Just don’t expect him to be more than a part-time bowler.
• Harry Conway is also great value for a death bowler. He’s record is mixed and price reflects that but if selected he plays in the right parts of the game to considered undervalued.
• Henry Thornton took 13 wickets in 7 matches at the barely believable strike-rate of 11.5. He’s $163k but could be an uber pod for the risk-takers given his name is still new to most cricket fans.

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Brisbane Heat

Brisbane Heat

Max Bryant

Colin Munro

Matt Renshaw

Sam Billings

Ross Whitely

Jimmy Pierson

James Bazley

Michael Neser*

Xavier Bartlett

Mark Steketee

Mitchell Swepson

Other Players

Usman Khawaja

Marnus Labuschagne

Jack Wildermuth

Josh Brown

Spencer Johnson

Will Prestwidge

Matthew Kuhnemann

Sam Heazlett

Sam Hain (Int)

Summary

The Heat are another team who got on a bit of a roll last season thanks in no small part to a bowling attack which while young, has played a lot of cricket together. Bazley and Bartlett are both gone from cheapies to high priced stars.

What’s changed

The Heat have offset the departure of favourite son Chris Lynn exceptionally well. Colin Munro, Matt Renshaw and Sam Billings are all likely to feature in a new look top four with exact positions that could change game by game. 

Neser played a handful of matches for them last season and his increased availability will lengthen their batting order to go with his handy swing bowling. Ross Whitely is another new name who could squeeze Heazlett out of the starting XI.

What to watch for

• Mitch Swepson’s price is extremely appealing, as is handy DPP Neser and Max Bryant, albeit the latter is known for his inconsistency. 
• The Heat are a fun squad but have some high-priced options and a round 2 bye, meaning they won’t really come into calculation until round 3 by which point their roles should be clearer.
• Renshaw offers more with the ball each season. He’s $136k but could have a role worth more than that if he’s trusted with multiple overs each match. Has shown good form for Queensland this season to-date. There’s also a world where Heat genuinely select him as the fifth bowler to lengthen their batting.
• The exact order of their batting lineup isn’t clear. Realistically only Billings, Munro and Renshaw are locks to start, but we will thankfully get a look at them in round 1 to learn more before their DGW in round 3. Up against the Renegades and Strikers, it could be a nice DGW.
• Neser probably shouldn’t be stashed early due to his Australian Test prospects.

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Hobart Hurricanes

Hobart Hurricanes

Matt Wade

D’Arcy Short

Ben McDermott

Jimmy Neesham

Shadab Khan

Tim David

Asif Ali

Nathan Ellis

Joel Paris

Chris Tremain

Riley Meredith

Other guys

Caleb Jewell

Will Parker

Paddy Dooley

Billy Stanlake

Mitchell Owen

Faheem Ashraf

Mac Wright

Zac Crawley (int) replacing Shadab Khan from mid-January

Summary

Will go in as one of the tournament favourites with seemingly all bases covered with their best XI. The trio of Pakistanis collected through the draft should all contribute and the most dangerous top three in the competition will keep opposition bowlers nervous.

What’s changed

Tom Rogers has ridden his impressive performances last year to a new deal with the ‘Gades, meaning there is an opening in the pace bowlers department. 

This is likely to be filled by Faheem Ashraf with support from Joel Paris, who when injury free offers them a real point of difference. 

The recruitment of Shadab Khan looks a masterstroke after his allround efforts in the World Cup, while there’s no sign of Scott Boland or Pete Handscomb on the books which could pave the way for Caleb Jewell to earn regular playing time. Billy Stanlake and Chris Tremain are also new recruits – the former now a ‘cheapie’.

The late signing of Kiwi international Jimmy Neesham may see Caleb Jewell miss out on a spot.

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What to watch for

• Fahaam Asharaf – who is very cheap for what he could bring to table – might miss the opening round, so don’t get suckered into a cheap quick with poor job security if Stanlake/Paris/Tremain start in round 1. Paris is the most likely to be a regular.
• Is this the year we see Riley Meredith bring it altogether? At 26 he’s no longer a kid and is now the genuine spearhead and a name people put forward as one for the Aussie T20 team long term.
• In a similar vein, Nathan Ellis is a genuine star and could just be a guy you bank and hold for the whole tournament.
• Shadab Khan could be the new SuperCoach king being guaranteed four overs and a spot in the top 7 bats – I see him batting anywhere from 4 to 7 depending on the situation – and I am here for it. 
• Tim David is affordable and perhaps a good bench loop guy for that one or two games a season where he’ll go mega. Just don’t expect that now he’s in the Australian side that he’s undervalued.

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Melbourne Renegades

Melbourne Renegades

Aaron Finch

Nic Maddinson

Peter Handscomb

Jono Wells

Andre Russell

Sam Harper

Will Sutherland

Akeil Hosein

Tom Rogers

Kane Richardson

Mujeeb ur Rahman

Other Players:

Mackenzie Harvey

Corey Rocchiccioli

Jake Fraser-McGurk

Zak Evans

Martin Guptill (Replaces Andre Russell from game 5)

Jack Prestwidge

Ruwana Kelapotha

Marcus Harris

Summary:

A decent off-season from the ‘Gades who boast a much more experienced outfit now compared with previous seasons. Losing Liam Livingstone for the tournament is a major blow, but the team is shaping up better than they’ve looked in a long time, especially with the ball. Martin Guptill is a world-class replacement at late notice.

What’s changed

The club has recruited a few underrated gems from across the competition in Jono Wells and Tom Rogers who both answer desperate needs. 

The signing of Peter Handscomb will likely see Mackenzie Harvey drop out of the side, although he may earn a reprieve is Shaun Marsh isn’t fit to start the tournament.

Tom Rogers proved himself a capable death bowler and could prove a great foil for Kane Richardson. 

Mujeeb also crosses from Brisbane and is always a handful, while Akeil Hosein from the West Indies is another solid bowling option for them. The team finally won’t need to rely on the likes of Will Sutherland and Sam Harper to play key roles.

What to watch for

• The ‘Gades are the only club without a bye in the SuperCoach season, so if you’re looking for a player you can set and forget, this could be the place. Just be conscious their Internationals are all slated to leave around the halfway mark.
• Given how poor the team was last season there’s serious value across the board. The two I like the most are Mujeeb and Hosein who will both get four overs. Their spin at Marvel stadium could be a big factor. Last season Zahir Khan made cash quickly off the back of some home games to start the season and it could happen again.
• Dre Russ was decent in his appearances in last year’s BBL and while he won’t be here for the ‘Gades DGW in round 5, he will be heavily involved in the game and have opportunities for bulk points.
• Kane Richardson averaged 65 last season with no help around him. Could he better that with support from Rogers, Mujeeb and Hosein? There’s every chance.
• There’s a few cheapies that could have decent roles if selected, so watch team sheets for Marcus Harris or Kelepotha.

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Melbourne Stars

Melbourne Stars

Marcus Stoinis

Joe Clarke

Nick Larkin

Joe Burns

Hilton Cartwright

Beau Webster

Nathan Coulter-Nile

Luke Wood

Adam Zampa

Brody Couch

Trent Boult

Other players

Tom O’Connell

Glenn Maxwell – injured

Sam Elliot

Liam Hatcher

Clint Hinchliffe

Cam McClure

Campbell Kellaway

Summary:

The Stars will line up similarly to the squad that narrowly missed finals last season, with some help coming to their pace stocks in the form of Trent Boult and Englishman Luke Wood. 

Their batting depth is still an issue, hindered more by the injury to Glenn Maxwell, and it always seems to come down to the form rather than the list the Stars have as to how far they go.

Maxwell is expected to miss at least the very least the opening stages of the tournament with a broken leg, but it may even be the entire tournament.

What’s changed:

Trent Boult is a great get for the green team and will open the bowling. His record in T20I is excellent and he could dominate at the domestic level. Luke Wood provides some depth to the bowling stocks too, but nothing else is really that new.

What to watch for:

• Stoinis and Zampa are cheap off the back of a disappointing campaign last year. Their value is almost too good to ignore. 
• If Stoinis is bowling he has the chance to be the highest scoring player in the game.
• Zampa could benefit from the addition of Wood and Boult into the mix, as his poor scores from last year were mostly due to the reliance on him to bowl in the Power Play and surge. If this role is the same then perhaps his value might be accurate
• Luke Wood is cheap and DPP making him attractive, but there’s no guarantees on how his bowling will translate to the BBL
• Nathan Coulter-Nile is a former BBL SC stud but may enter the tournament under an injury cloud. Keep your eye on practice matches to see if he’s fit
• The DGW to start the season makes them very appealing, but you should factor in if you’ll trade your Stars in round 2 or hold them and trade elsewhere – Stoinis and Zampa are both potentially season long holds for both their skills and price.
• The Maxwell injury has huge upside for three guys in particular who are all $62.5k; Joe Burns and Nick Larkin appear in a battle for two of the top four batting spots. Without any batters in the wings just yet, they could be cash cows and loop options for round 1. The third player is Beau Webster. He’s been turning himself into an allrounder down in Tasmania and now appears to be the 6th bowling option for the Stars; especially if Stoinis is injured. Sixth bowlers do not always get their three overs in, but anyone who bowls is always going to accrue points through dots at a minimum.

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Perth Scorchers

Perth Scorchers

Adam Lyth

Faf Du Plessis

Cameron Bancroft

Josh Inglis

Ashton Turner

Aaron Hardie

Ashton Agar

Jhye Richardson

Peter Hatzoglou

Andrew Tye

Jason Behrendorff

Other players

Cameron Green

Nick Hobson

Lance Morris

Cooper Connolly

Matthew Kelly

Stephen Eskinazi

Summary

The deepest team in the competition should start as favourites once again to progress to their third straight Big Final and second title, although recent injuries will hurt. It’s a settled squad and one that could quite shockingly leave out English World Cup finalist Tymal Mills and rising star Matt Kelly from their side. Ludicrous.

What’s changed

A little now with injuries to Mitch Marsh and Phil Salt who will miss the entire tournament. Kurtis Patterson was an unsung hero and a magnificent signing for the Scorchers last season but he’s back in Sydney now. 

But the replacement in South African Faf Du Plessis is an upgrade. Jhye Richardson was largely unavailable last season while with the Test team, but now looks to be one of the first picked and at $149k is appealing.

International import Laurie Evans had his contract terminated after testing positive to a banned substance, opening up a spot for Cameron Bancroft.

What to watch for:

• Josh Inglis for $87k? With a round 2 DGW? Set and forget in one of your WKT spots if he opens the batting! With Evans out, Bancroft likely earns a reprieve and is more suited to an opening role, which may push Inglis back to number four where he’s batted before.
• Jhye Richardson is massive unders at $149k who a great team and a guy who will bowl death.
• Lance Morris is $62.5k and been in incredible form in Marsh Cup and Shield to start the season. It may be hard for him to get a regular spot but if he is selected, he could be one of the best rookies to have.
• Cam Green is 2 metres tall and $62.5k. Instant selection once he’s back from Test duties.
• Aaron Hardie has the ‘Dan Christian’ role as 6th bowler and batting finisher. He’s an exceptional talent and costs only $99.6k. He averaged only 35 last season but had a 95 and 85 to his name. He will have quiet games, but has the talent to become a household name.
• Nick Hobson is in a battle with Cameron Bancroft for the top order batting spot.

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Sydney Sixers

Sydney Sixers

Josh Philippe

Kurtis Patterson

James Vince

Moises Henriques

Jordan Silk

Dan Christian

Hayden Kerr

Sean Abbott

Ben Dwarshuis

Chris Jordan

Steve O’Keefe

Other players

Todd Murphy

Jackson Bird

Jack Edwards

Naveed

Daniel Hughes

Nathan Lyon

Mickey Edwards

Summary

Last seasons’ runners-up couldn’t get the dream three-peat but still dominated almost allcomers. A very settled team which covers a lot of bases should have them near the pointy end once more come finals.

What’s changed

The addition of Kurtis Patterson should mean a new opening partnership. I see him edging out Dan Hughes from the best XI and allowing Vince to bat 3. 

Hayden Kerr was almost player of the tournament in his first full season with the Sixers and is another option for the Sixers to open, but most likely occupies the number 7 spot behind Dan Christian. Chris Jordan played a handful of games last year and is back and will have the great role.

What to watch for:

• Chris Jordan is $125k and bowling death. He’s certainly not my favourite cricketer but showed in the World Cup semi-final that bowling death = SuperCoach points. In the game he got smashed. In SuperCoach terms he scored 97 points. Worth a look.
• If Hayden Kerr does bat higher than 7, he could be a set and forget option
• James Vince for $99k is great value
• Josh Philippe and Sean Abbott are fairly priced for what they do and could be set and forget picks

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Sydney Thunder

Sydney Thunder

Alex Hales

Matt Gilkes

Jason Sangha

Rilee Rossouw

Sam Whiteman

Dan Sams

Ben Cutting

Chris Green

Gurinder Sandhu

Fazalhaq Farooqi

Brendan Doggett

Other players

Ollie Davies

Baxter Holt

Alex Ross

David Warner

Nathan McAndrew

Tanveer Sangha (injured)

Usman Qadir (availability TBC)

Summary

A settled squad in theory but one that has failed in the big moments in the last two seasons and could do with a shot in the arm. Before the season has even kicked off we’re already on injury watch with Tanveer Sangha and potentially Gilkes under a cloud; the former may miss the opening of the season.

What’s changed

Foundation player Usman Khawaja has moved on, opening a permanent spot in the top order. Matt Gilkes performed this role for most of last season, but do they opt for someone else?

Rilee Rossouw is back in the BBL and will lock down a spot at the top of the order, and David Willey was a disappointing scratching from the tournament.

The recent re-signing of Sam Whiteman may see Ollie Davies drop out of the side.

Afghanistan quick Fazalhaq Farooqi joins for the first nine games as the international replacement for David Willey.

Pakistani international Usman Qadir has signed as cover for the injured Tanveer Sangha.

What to watch for:

• Matt Gilkes, if named to open, should be your round 1 wicket-keeper, The Thunder have the double and the kid has potential and costs less than $100k.
• If Tanveer Sangha starts the season injured which is now all-but confirmed, it might trigger two things; a 42k rookie bowler for the DGW or an increased role for Jason Sangha. Jason can bowl decent leg-spin and might even earn DPP status if he offers regular overs. The signing of Qadir may cancel this out.
• Keep your eye on where Dan Sams bats. Sams arguably has the best role in SuperCoach and is a set and forget.
• Is Ben Cutting past his best? Yes. Will I have a look at him if he’s opening in round 1 at 86k? Yes.
• Alex Hales is undervalued at $130k. He should be in your team to start the season.