BBL Supercoach squad preview | Sydney Thunder

The Sydney Thunder will be out to go one better than last season’s runner-up finish.



BBL14 was just their second appearance in the final after triumphing back in BBL05.



Despite featuring in the finals in five of the past six seasons, they’ll be desperate to add a second title to their cabinet this year.



The roster has remained fairly stable, with the additions of international quicks Reece Topley and Lockie Ferguson, who will alternate in the tournament.



Pakistani allrounder Shadab Khan is a huge addition for the Thunder – and Supercoaches – while Sam Konstas’ Ashes snub is another win on the domestic front.



Their round 2 double game week makes the Thunder extremely relevant early on as coaches inevitably look to stash players from round 1 in preparation.



Let’s take a look at their Supercoach BBL prospects to begin the tournament.



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">FIXTURES</h3>



The Thunder have the double game week in round two, their only double of the season.



They have no byes in their Supercoach BBL15 campaign.



They play game three of five in the opening round, and game four of five in round 3, making them tricky looping prospects to begin.



They play their opener in Hobart, which is beneficial for batsmen, less so for bowlers.



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">GUNS</h3>



David Warner || BAT II $149,700 II SC BBL14 Ave: 56.8



Warner possesses a role that is normally a significant avoid in Supercoach, bat only…



However, when you’re an international great, it provides a rethink.



Warner was second on the run-scoring charts last season with 405 runs at a stunning average of 45.00.



Add in the fact that he has to bat on one of the roughest surfaces in the country and it makes the numbers even more impressive.



He does get the benefit of Ninja Stadium in Hobart in the opening game which is extremely beneficial for batters, along with Manuka Oval on game two of their double.



At the hefty price I’ll look to avoid in round 1, before a potential round 2 buy.



Verdict: Avoid early, potential round 2 buy



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">MID-RANGERS</h3>



Shadab Khan || BAT-BWL II $117,500 II SC BBL14 Ave: DNP



Khan is a gun all-rounder who has had impressive showings in limited BBL stints to date.



He starts cheap and looks like a nice plug ahead of the Thunder’s round 2 double.



Add in the minefield he’ll bowl on at ENGIE, and he has strong scoring potential this season.



Shadab showed his Supercoach potential in his last campaign back in BBL12, averaging a healthy 61.2 points.



Verdict: Buy



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Dan Sams || BAT-BWL II $116,600 II SC BBL14 Ave: 44.2



Veteran Supercoaches will know the value of Thunder all-rounder Dan Sams to the game.



He’s a quality death bowler that offers some dynamic late-order hitting.



Statistically speaking he had a down year in BBL14 with an average of 44.2, however this was reduced after a horrific outfield clash with a teammate ended his season against Perth.



Limited by the injury, he scored just 15 in that game after exiting early.



BBL14 was his first time averaging under 52 points per game.



Injury has plagued him at times so you could wait until round 2 to assess his fitness, but with his upside he’s extremely playable even on a single game week so I’m happy to go early.



Verdict: Buy



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Tanveer Sangha || BWL II $111,500 II SC BBL14 Ave: 47.0



Sangha played just the six games last campaign, taking 7 wickets at an economy of 7.16.



He’s a consistent Supercoach scorer without ever really lighting up, averaging from 39.3 to 47.0 across his four seasons to date.



He’s awkwardly priced on a 47.0 average last season, so I’m happy to wait and consider for the double.



Verdict: Avoid, potential round 2 buy



Sam Konstas || BAT II $101,300 II SC BBL14 Ave: 38.4



Konstas will benefit from the round 1 deck in Hobart, but I do feel it’s still a risky early play.



He can be very hit and miss, and with his bat-only role, it can go wrong very quickly.



If he scores well in the opening game, people will flock for the round 2 double, but I’m happy to see it before investing.



Verdict: Avoid, potential round 2 buy



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">CHEAPIES</h3>



Nathan McAndrew || BWL II $60,000 II SC BBL14 Ave: 22.8



McAndrew looms as a potential gun cheapie; however, the recent signing of English quick Reece Topley has hurt his buy credentials.



Topley likely steals death overs, while his spot in the line-up for ENGIE games in particular is uncertain should they add another spinner.



I’d want confidence that he’ll start for the Thunder’s double in round 2, but if there’s any doubt, I’ll just hold off and wait a week.



I suspect he’ll be an extremely popular round 2 buy, but I do think there’s probably a little too much risk in starting him in round 1.



Verdict: Monitor role, likely round 2 buy



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Ollie Davies || BAT II $58,500 II SC BBL14 Ave: 19.3



Davies has always had glimpses of stardom across all formats; hopefully, this is the season he lights up in the BBL.



In his defence, his home deck isn’t ideal for run-scoring purposes.



He starts very cheap for good reason; he scored just 172 runs at an average of 19.11 last season.



He’s a classy cricketer, so let’s see how he begins in Hobart.



If he scores well and has a low breakeven, he’ll be very popular in round 2.



We’d also want to confirm he’s batting at 4 rather than 5 to start the season.



Verdict: Avoid, monitor early



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<h3 class="wp-block-heading">Sydney Thunder Predicted XI via Maxy Bryden</h3>



<figure class="wp-block-table"><table><tbody><tr><td></td><td>Starting XI</td></tr><tr><td>1</td><td>Sam Konstas || BAT II $101,300 II SC BBL14 Ave: 38.4</td></tr><tr><td>2</td><td>David Warner || BAT II $149,700 II SC BBL14 Ave: 56.8</td></tr><tr><td>3</td><td>Cameron Bancroft || WKP-BAT II $81,700 II SC BBL14 Ave: 31.0</td></tr><tr><td>4</td><td>Ollie Davies || BAT II $58,500 II SC BBL14 Ave: 19.3</td></tr><tr><td>5</td><td>Sam Billings || WKP-BAT II $111,300 II SC BBL14 Ave: 42.2</td></tr><tr><td>6</td><td>Shadab Khan || BAT-BWL II $117,500 II SC BBL14 Ave: DNP</td></tr><tr><td>7</td><td>Dan Sams || BAT-BWL II $116,600 II SC BBL14 Ave: 44.2</td></tr><tr><td>8</td><td>Chris Green || BWL II $148,800 II SC BBL14 Ave: 56.4</td></tr><tr><td>9</td><td>Nathan McAndrew || BWL II $60,000 II SC BBL14 Ave: 22.8</td></tr><tr><td>10</td><td>Reece Topley || BWL II $ TBC II SC BBL14 Ave: DNP</td></tr><tr><td>11</td><td>Tanveer Sangha || BWL II $111,500 II SC BBL14 Ave: 47.0</td></tr><tr><td></td><td>Reserves</td></tr><tr><td>12</td><td>Lockie Ferguson</td></tr><tr><td>13</td><td>Blake Nikitaras</td></tr><tr><td>14</td><td>Matt Gilkes</td></tr><tr><td>15</td><td>Ryan Hadley</td></tr><tr><td>16</td><td>Tom Andrews</td></tr><tr><td>17</td><td>Wes Agar</td></tr><tr><td>18</td><td>Nic Maddinson</td></tr></tbody></table></figure>



Ravi Ashwin&nbsp;has been ruled out of the entire tournament due to injury in a blow for the competition.



Sam Konstas could feature for the Thunder if not selected for the Ashes at all, which is looking more likely by the day.



Otherwise,&nbsp;Matt Gilkes&nbsp;or&nbsp;Blake Nikitaras&nbsp;could partner with&nbsp;Warner&nbsp;at the top of the list.



Shadab Khan&nbsp;is worth monitoring due to his all-around ability.



His ability to bat as high as number 4 and bowl four overs of spin makes him a very valuable Supercoach commodity.



The likes of&nbsp;Nathan McAndrew, Wes Agar and Ryan Hadley&nbsp;will battle for a quick bowling spot alongside recent recruit&nbsp;Reece Topley.Lockie Ferguson&nbsp;will join the side later in the season after his ILT20 commitments.

BBL Supercoach squad preview | Sydney Thunder

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