Squad breakdown: Sydney Sixers Supercoach BBL14 preview

The Sydney Sixers have etched their name into the Big Bash record books as one of the most consistent teams in the tournament’s history.



An outstanding BBL13 campaign ended in heartbreak with defeat at home to the Brisbane Heat in the final.



They’ll be looking to go one better in BBL14, bidding to add a fourth trophy to their cabinet.



The Sixers don’t have a double until round three, however they don’t have a bye this season.



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Despite an impressive showing last season and boasting a very settled roster, there’s genuine Supercoach value littered across the squad.



The departure of allrounder Tom Curran to the Melbourne Stars has created much of this opportunity.



West Indian star Akeal Hosein is the international replacement who looks primed for a big tournament and will have significant Supercoach relevance.



Note the Sixers start their campaign on two traditionally bowling friendly wickets in the Sydney Cricket Ground and Sydney Showground.



This should play a role in the decision to start any players from round 1, with a heavy lean towards bowlers.



 They play in game two and three respectively of the opening rounds, making them reasonable looping targets.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">GUNS</h2>



Akeal Hosein $196,700



Hosein is likely to miss the first game or two for the Sixers due to international commitments, so I won’t spend too much time on him for now.



Regardless of availability, you probably couldn’t afford to start him at the price with two single game weeks and the likelihood of already owning Glenn Maxwell and Matt Short.



When on deck, he’ll be a near must for the round 3 double regardless of price.



He played just the one game last season, scoring 74 points in the process.



In BBL12 he was outstanding, averaging 67.4 points across his nine games.



In this year’s T20 Caribbean Premier League he was okay taking just nine wickets in 10 games, with a quality economy of just 6.82.



Verdict: Wait, buy in round 3



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">MID-RANGERS</h2>



Josh Philippe $132,600



At the time of writing, Philippe is currently in 27% of teams which is higher than I anticipated.



Firstly, he’s a very high-risk option due to his explosive nature of batting.



Yes, I understand the upside on the flipside.



He plays on two decks early that could be tricky for batters, while he’s also best utilised in the WKP loop position.



In both of the opening rounds he plays after the teams on the double game week, so you can’t really loop him in the WKP position with double game week players which isn’t ideal, although you can of course opt for it in the BAT slot which is viable.



He averaged 44.9 Supercoach points last season, and 33.1 the season prior, so recent years don’t make for overly appetising reading.



In the two season’s prior he averaged a very impressive 58.0 and 56.8.



He blasted a recent Marsh Cup 139 off 119 balls, while he’s consistently had starts without going on with anything around that knock.



Unless we are genuinely void of decent WKP-BAT options in opening rounds, which is possible, I’m happy to go against the crowd and avoid early.



Verdict: Avoid, likely a round 3 buy.



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Sean Abbott $131,800



BBL13: 34.1 (SC ave)



BBL12: 63.8



BBL11: 70.8



BBL10: 54.3



BBL09: 85.3



I mean, Sabba is a lock right?



One of the best Supercoach players of all-time comes in at a barely believable $131k following an underwhelming BBL13 Supercoach campaign.



With Curran departed, he likely bowls the key late overs where the wickets tumble.



He’s among the elite players of the competitive with experience levels second to none.



We often focus on double game week players early, as we should, but making money early is also imperative to Supercoach success.



With a round three double, and decent early loop opportunities, Abbott looks an excellent purchase from round 1.



He has a large ceiling and is currently in just 15% of teams.



He went wicketless in three recent ODIs against England, however he took a tremendous 11 wickets in five T20s v England and Scotland prior.



Abbott was exceptional prior to that in the UK Vitality Blast T20 tournament, taking 15 wickets in just eight games with an economy of 7.93.



Verdict: Buy from round 1



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Hayden Kerr $105,000 and Jack Edwards&nbsp;$136,500



As bowling allrounders, the selections of Hayden Kerr and Jack Edwards will have a significant impact on the Supercoach credentials of several players.



It’ll impact where Hosein (when available) and Abbott slot into the batting order, along with the call on who bowls the end of innings overs.



Could this be the year Hayden Kerr reaches his Big Bash potential?



Being stuck behind such quality bowling stocks including Abbott, Curran and Ben Dwarshuis has limited his opportunities for regular game time in recent years.



With Curran gone, he may push his way into the team where he’d likely bat at number seven.



Edwards could also land in one of the best roles in the game, potentially batting as high as number six while bowling key overs.



Verdict: The round 1 Sixers team list will be key, likely a wait and watch until the round 3 double but potentially worth starting with.



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading">CHEAPIES</h2>



Todd Murphy $81,400



The retirement of Steve O’Keefe opens up a regular spinning role at the Sixers.



Murphy starts very cheap and could be the frontline spinner for the Sixers this season, while there’ll be competition from recruit Ben Manenti.



Two spin friendly decks to begin the campaign bode well for Murphy and his money-making prospects early on.



In 19 career T20s he has just 13 wickets at an incredibly economic rate of 6.00.



He’s taken just four wickets in his last four 50 over Marsh Cup fixtures, including best figures of 3/38.



Realistically though if he can lock down the role for the Sixers he should be making decent cash with just a wicket here and there, along with his reliable economy returns.



He’s a genuine cheapie option to begin the season, boosted significantly by the favourable venues.



It’ll really come down to both job security and how the cheapie scene looks to begin the tournament.



Verdict: Wait and buy in round 3, unless we are low on genuine cheapies to start



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Sydney Sixers – Predicted Round 1 team and analysis via Max Bryden



Josh Philippe &nbsp;// WKP-BAT // SC BBL13 Ave: 44.9 &nbsp;// $132,600



James Vince &nbsp;// BAT // SC BBL13 Ave: 44.3 // $130,900



Daniel Hughes &nbsp;// BAT // SC BBL13 Ave: 48.6 // $143,500



Moises Henriques &nbsp;// BAT-BWL // SC BBL13 Ave: 32.7 // $96,500



Jordan Silk &nbsp;// BAT // SC BBL13 Ave: 34.8 // $102,700



Jack Edwards&nbsp;// BAT-BWL // SC BBL13 Ave: 46.2 // $136,500



Hayden Kerr &nbsp;// BAT-BWL // SC BBL13 Ave: 105,000 // $105,000



Akeal Hosein &nbsp;// BAT-BWL // SC BBL13 Ave: 74.0 // $196,700



Sean Abbott &nbsp;// BAT // SC BBL13 Ave: 34.1 // $131,800



Ben Dwarshuis &nbsp;// BAT // SC BBL13 Ave: 46.3 // $136,900



Todd Murphy  // BAT // SC BBL13 Ave: 27.6 // $81,400



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Changes since last season:



Last year’s runners up will be stinging after the loss in front of a sell-out home crowd.&nbsp;



The retirement of Stephen O’Keefe is the only major change to this side in what feels like 10 years.



In place of SOK, the club has gone heavily into the market for spin bowlers.&nbsp;



West Indian Akeal Hosein is the big prize – he’s an absolute weapon who should love the conditions in Sydney. He also adds further depth to a lower order who can all swing the bat.



Ben Manenti has also returned to the squad, but probably sits behind Todd Murphy who should earn consistent game time.



Forgotten man Hayden Kerr has missed a lot of cricket in the last 12 months through injury, but should be in their best XI if fit.



No Tom Curran or a noted International pace bowler means the high-scoring death overs are up for grabs in the side.



*Akeal Hosein is expected to miss the opening round due to international duty.



Relevant Supercoach player snapshot:



Jack Edwards has truly arrived, and if he takes the mantle as death bowler, he offers up an incredible role for SuperCoaches.



Akeal Hosein is likely to be extremely high-priced but has earnt it through strong performances in the tournament previously.&nbsp;



Sean Abbott’s down season saw him average just 34 last year. This is a guy who is consistently one of the best players in SuperCoach. He’s a borderline must have.

Squad breakdown: Sydney Sixers Supercoach BBL14 preview

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