BBL Supercoach | Thommo's Team Reveal


<p>With just a week to go before the Big Bash League kicks off, coaches have been tinkering and reshaping their SC sides in preparation for the short and sharp season ahead. </p>



<p>After weighing up the options, this is the lineup I’ve settled on. </p>



<p>While a few tweaks are inevitable, the core and structure of the team feel solid. </p>



<p>Hobart provides a heavy influence, with plenty of Hurricanes featuring prominently, but I’ve also brought in players from the Thunder, Heat, and Stars to cover those crucial early double-game weeks and add balance across the roster.</p>



<a id='1suFzRK3RaVHQeC-rXmz5A' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2190907484' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'1suFzRK3RaVHQeC-rXmz5A',sig:'VsTrHV-p1IWvMWNtWTOKPU7ncFpm729sjfgPxccIeSQ=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2190907484',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Wicketkeepers</strong></h3>



<p><strong>Ben McDermott (Hurricanes) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Cameron Bancroft (Thunder)</strong></p>



<p>I am keen on starting a Hobart keeper because they are both cheap and have a favourable early schedule. </p>



<p>I have McDermott in for now because he batted at number 4 last BBL, whereas Wade moved down the order (mostly in at number 6) as the tournament progressed last season. </p>



<p>This could be reversed if Wade were to move back to an opening spot. </p>



<p>Whichever keeper I choose, I would be hoping they could get a massive score at some stage during the round 1 and 3 doubles. </p>



<p>On the bench, I have Cameron Bancroft in preparation for the Thunder double in round 2. </p>



<p>He won’t have the keeping gloves, but hopefully he can get amongst some runs across round 2. </p>



<p>I am hoping he comes in at 3 and plays that anchor role throughout the Thunder innings, and can accelerate at the end. </p>



<p>He has previously started tournaments well (70 not out in his second match last year, 74 in his second match the year before that), and if he could repeat that, it would be very nice.</p>



<a id='-Ip1ppuAQWFOfy1kXek6_Q' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2194679507' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'-Ip1ppuAQWFOfy1kXek6_Q',sig:'qh9WGD6PR9BhfKW3n7wvJsjg86c0u_52NwP5ClHC-qg=',w:'594px',h:'406px',items:'2194679507',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Batsmen</strong></h3>



<p><strong>Mitch Owen (Hurricanes) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Tim David (Hurricanes) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Jack Edwards (Sixers) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Josh Philipee (Sixers) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Hayden Kerr (Sixers) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Tom Curran (Stars) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Aaron Hardie (Perth)</strong></p>



<p>Owen and David are two explosive guns and will be heavily owned across the first few rounds. </p>



<p>Edwards continues to get better each tournament and will perform roles with bat and ball. </p>



<p>Exactly what position in the batting order and how many overs will be dependent on the team list, but he will get ample opportunities across a Sixers double game week. </p>



<a id='Iu_nM364SZxUHuUQSrEikA' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2195088326' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'Iu_nM364SZxUHuUQSrEikA',sig:'bnL-U9h679UjoRlCV59X-rWZ0zxR8cjEU0iqZ6uZBkg=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2195088326',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p>Philippe has the added bonus of getting some keeper/fielding points in a good Sixers bowling attack and will bat in the top 3 (probably opening). </p>



<p>Kerr could be a good, cheaper option with BAT/BWL eligibility for the round 1 double. </p>



<p>His position in the team is never a guarantee, so he will be a real team list watch before the opening game. </p>



<p>Being a left-armer does help to offer some variety to the Sixers bowling attack, and whilst not a lock for 4 overs, it seems to me at least he bowls more overs than I would expect in games. </p>



<a id='tJpQXv9pQAdvIkSLr_PrWw' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2192240985' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'tJpQXv9pQAdvIkSLr_PrWw',sig:'ln-9Ujz0R-pUYuak_d9nLMmCNkn3LtY7NKAwBcv7QgY=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2192240985',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p>On the bench for now, I have Hardie and Curran. </p>



<p>Hardie is a ridiculously cheap price, and he could be the cash cow and MVP of the Supercoach season.  </p>



<p>He had a highest score of only 34 last year and only bowled 2 overs. </p>



<p>He will score many runs this tournament and will be relied upon to bowl many overs with the changing of the guard in the Perth bowling attack, one would imagine. </p>



<p>Curran takes the other bench spot for now, ready for the Stars round 3 double. </p>



<p>The days of him being an absolute SC gun seem to be behind him (not nearly as many junk wickets!), but the role he plays makes me apprehensive to leave him out because he could put on a monster score if it clicks on the day. </p>



<a id='QlTpE0S9RblD2OONttfwSg' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2196143551' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'QlTpE0S9RblD2OONttfwSg',sig:'kFoLCqBYbY-9bpAxB0u1reR6z8po9iDD-eqtmPrcT54=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2196143551',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Bowlers</strong></h3>



<p><strong>Nathan Ellis (Hurricanes)</strong> </p>



<p><strong>Riley Meredith (Hurricanes) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Nikhil Chaudhary (Hurricanes)</strong> </p>



<p><strong>Chris Jordan (Hurricanes)</strong> </p>



<p><strong>Ben Dwarshuis (Sixers) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Shadab Khan (Thunder) </strong></p>



<p><strong>Michel Neser (Heat)</strong></p>



<p>The strength of the Hurricanes&#8217; bowling unit is their pace brigade, so at the moment, I have 3 in my SC side. </p>



<p>Hopefully, these 3 take the bulk of the wickets, and they all can take a bag on their day. </p>



<a id='vyLzaQ6kQRJLZNQzjv3-5g' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2194183492' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'vyLzaQ6kQRJLZNQzjv3-5g',sig:'z8WW0y8BULHpss3rCda2hF5k2kV3YzLfG3fqBgETBa0=',w:'594px',h:'373px',items:'2194183492',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p>Nikhil Chaudhary could have an all-rounder role for the Hurricanes and is the type of player who can chip away at a score over a double. </p>



<p>Batting in a middle-order role, he reached that magical 20-run mark where you can activate a possible strike rate bonus. </p>



<p>He does bowl, but it is often some overs, rather than the minimum 3-over mark to activate the economy bonus. </p>



<p>It is not the true all-rounder role, but it certainly peaks my interest as a starting selection. </p>



<p>Ben Dwarshuis will be in my side barring injury for the round 1 Sixer double. </p>



<p>He overachieved with the bat last season, but in a rain-affected match last year, he only bowled 1 delivery to earn 1 SC point. </p>



<p>This is great news for us this year, as he is priced much more cheaply than he probably should be.   </p>



<a id='OQEOyZAHRA5Tlz5QF0yo1A' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2206958558' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'OQEOyZAHRA5Tlz5QF0yo1A',sig:'gsiXRxlV-9dL0ooqxQQIa_lUqnIAMirTCYblFSwsRYk=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2206958558',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<p>The bowling bench at the moment consists of Khan and Neser. </p>



<p>I’m fairly confident I will start with one of Sams or Khan from the Thunder. </p>



<p>I just want to nail the right Thunder all-rounder who could go bang from round 1. </p>



<p>With the better batting and other Thunder signings potentially taking death overs, I have a slight lean towards Shadab for now. </p>



<p>Some might remember him from a couple of years ago when he played for the Hurricanes. </p>



<p>He batted at 4 for them, but across T20 matches has batted anywhere from 3 to 7. </p>



<p>He never put a big score together for the Canes, but is capable of doing just that. </p>



<p>Additionally, 4 overs of spin at the Showground (in round 2) can be a good recipe for success too! </p>



<p>Neser is very cheap and is getting his eye in whilst taking caught and bowled wickets at the Gabba against England. </p>



<p>He didn’t set the world on fire last year in limited games for the Heat, but is capable of late innings runs, hooping it when conditions suit at the start of an innings, and fields in good spots for catches. </p>



<p>A handy one to start, as long as he is not still on test match duties. </p>



<a id='hZnJlmoIS21KjXoBW0ykqw' class='gie-single' href='https://www.gettyimages.com/detail/2191731129' target='_blank' style='color:#a7a7a7;text-decoration:none;font-weight:normal !important;border:none;display:inline-block;' rel="noopener">Embed from Getty Images</a><script>window.gie=window.gie||function(c){(gie.q=gie.q||[]).push(c)};gie(function(){gie.widgets.load({id:'hZnJlmoIS21KjXoBW0ykqw',sig:'mkzRNs0uCX-vuz7Vhz1CMkyaLxgR4ZJpL4P3PL4EnrM=',w:'594px',h:'396px',items:'2191731129',caption: true ,tld:'com',is360: false })});</script><script src='//embed-cdn.gettyimages.com/widgets.js' charset='utf-8' async></script>



<h3 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>Flex</strong></h3>



<p><strong>Xavier Bartlett (Heat)</strong></p>



<p>Another Heat player in preparation for round 2.  </p>



<p>He can take a bag of wickets on his day and bowls key overs for the Heat, including opening overs, surge overs, and even some death overs. </p>



<p>He continues to get white ball honours for the Australian team and is continuing to hone his craft, and this should translate to some impressive BBL performances. </p>



<p>He can leak runs at times, but is a genuine wicket-taker and fields in a good spot to earn some fielding points. </p>



<p>We haven’t seen many runs from him in the last couple of tournaments, but he is very capable with the willow, and it wouldn’t surprise me to see some sneaky batting points at some stage during this year&#8217;s matches. </p>


BBL Supercoach | Thommo’s Team Reveal

Discussion (0)

BBL Supercoach | Full Player Availabilities

Thommo’s takes: SC BBL14 Round 8 wrap up

Thommo’s takes: SC BBL14 Round 7 wrap up

Thommo’s takes: SC BBL14 Round 6 wrap up