BBL SuperCoach Team Preview - Perth Scorchers

PREDICTED LINE UP

1-Michael Klinger

2-David Willey

3-Mitch Marsh

4-Hilton Cartwright

5-Asthon Turner

6-Ashton Agar

7-Josh Inglis

8-Nathan Coulter-Nile

9-Andrew Tye

10-Jhye Richardson

11-Jason Behrendorff

TOP PREMIUM PLAYER

DAVID WILLEY (BAT/BWL $194,000)

I’ve chosen David Willey over Andrew Tye here due to his role up the order with the bat. If Willey opens the batting as expected, in addition to leading the Scorchers attack with his swing bowling, then he should be a lock in for SuperCoaches in round 1. In the recent UK Vitality Blast, Willey was dominant, scoring 386 runs along with taking 9 wickets. An all-rounder of his ability being given the opportunity to open the batting and bowling is an elite SuperCoach option, and a great captaincy option for his round 1 double game week.

TOP MID PRICED PLAYER

NATHAN COULTER-NILE (BAT/BWL $125,000)

Still getting back into swing of things after a series of frustrating injuries over the past couple years, NCL will look to hit peak form this BBL. A dangerous bowler, Coulter-Nile is also a capable lower order hitter with the bat, and has a career T20 strike rate of 127. The recent three game T20I series against Pakistan saw him score 27 and 34 runs in two match, as well as take 3 wickets in his first international series back from injury. He also took 9 wickets in 4 games in the recent JLT One Day Cup. Starting at a very affordable price, he is a serious option for the round 1 double game week given his multiple ways of scoring SuperCoach points and should be a serious candidate for selection in most teams.

TOP CHEAP PLAYER

JOSH INGLIS (BAT/WKP $62,500)

Given the current injury cloud surrounding Michael Klinger (BAT $79,000), Inglis could potentially find himself opening the batting in Klinger’s absence. The young keeper is starting to climb up through the domestic leagues and recently averaged 30 batting down the order in the JLT One Day Cup. Unless he opens the batting though, I don’t see Inglis improving much on his underwhelming stats from BBL last season. Although it appears Klinger will be fit, Inglis should be monitored. Even if he doesn’t open the batting though, he should still pick up numerous points for catches playing on a bouncy Perth deck with a pace heavy attack. Cameron Green (BWL $42,000) is one to watch should he ever make the team.

POINT OF DIFFERENCE

JHYE RICHARDSON (BWL $116,700)

You could make a case of selecting anyone of the Perth Scorchers starting team in SuperCoach because they are that talented, but I’m backing Jhye Richardson to have a good BBL with the ball. The 22 year old fast bowler bowls at speeds of over 140kmph, and has already represented Australia. An every improving bowler, Richardson is currently taking wickets for fun at a very low economy rate in the Sheffield Shield, including career best figures of 8-47 against NSW at Optus Stadium. If he can carry his amazing Shield form into the BBL, then I can see him taking plenty of wickets and getting many SuperCoach points. Given the amount of talented bowlers at the Scorchers, don’t be surprised to see Richardson go under the radar for round 1 and end up being the player everyone wishes they had if the others fail. Currently bowling as well as he ever has, he will certainly be in my team.

PREDICTED FINISH – 2^ND

The most successful team in BBL history and it’s easy to see why with the amount of talent and depth in their squad. In BBL08, they should make the finals again. A formidable bowling attack that can defend any total, mixed with quality batsmen and the availability of Mitch Marsh for the start their campaign at least makes them incredibly tough to beat as always. Even if they lose several players to international duties (as expected), they have the incredible depth of talent to easily fill any role. They will be a very popular team for round 1 in SuperCoach given their double game week and the fact they don’t have a bye until round 9.

By Mathew Broom