SuperCoach HQ

The Perth Scorchers will be looking to avenge their disappointing loss to the Hurricanes in the BBL|07 Semi Final and bring the title back to the west. Once again, they have a side oozing with talent for us coaches to choose from.

The prices below are indicative for SuperCoach BBL.

BATSMEN

PREMIUM
David Willey – $194,000 – BAT/BWL

The English all-rounder had a solid BBL|07; averaging 21 with the bat to go along with his 7 scalps with the ball.

Willey should see even more opportunities with the bat this season in a Scorchers lineup which severely lacks batting depth.

In the recent England Vitality Blast, he amassed 386 runs, illustrating how destructive he can be with willow in hand.

Despite the fact he will have less impact with the ball, Willey is still a great pick due to his batting alone; especially with the Scorchers double game in Round One.

MID-PRICE
Michael Klinger – $79,300

Klinger had a difficult BBL|07 both on and off the pitch; and averaged less than 20 with the bat for the first time since the 08/09 KFC Big Bash.

That shows just how consistent the veteran has been over his long Big Bash career.

Since last season, Klinger retired from first-class cricket and played in the Vitality Blast where he scored 431 runs.

Given his history, Klinger is an absolute bargain at this price and I’m backing him to return to his best in BBL|08.

ROOKIE – N/A

There are no rookie priced batsmen in the Scorchers squad other than Josh Inglis and Sam Whiteman who are mentioned below.

WICKET-KEEPER

Josh Inglis – $62,500 – BAT/WKP

Inglis will likely take the gloves to start the campaign, since he’s been favoured at domestic level this season over Sam Whiteman.

He hasn’t set the world on fire this season (175 runs in the Sheffield Shield and 180 runs in the JLT Cup), but he should get ample opportunities batting in the Scorchers top six.

Inglis is a safe option for your bench who should make some cash.

BOWLERS

PREMIUM
Andrew Tye – $246,800

Tye was sensational once again in BBL|07 with 16 wickets from only 6 games!

He also starred in overseas competitions such as the IPL and Vitality Blast where he took 24 and 13 wickets respectively.

There’s not much to say really, he’s been a proven performer year after year and has earnt his hefty price-tag.

MID-PRICE
Jason Behrendorff – $125,000/Nathan Coulter-Nile – $125,000 – BAT/BWL

Both Behrendorff and Coulter-Nile return to the Big Bash for the first time since BBL|05.

They recently made successful returns to the national side and should open the bowling together for the Scorchers.

Behrendorff has taken 45 wickets in his Big Bash career, while Coulter-Nile has claimed 32 and has a batting strike rate of 140!

At their price, they should be a lock in every player’s side.

ROOKIE

Cameron Green – $42,000

The towering young quick from WA has been tearing up the Australian First Class scene with an incredible record of 25 wickets at 19.48 (including 6/30 against Tasmania this season).

Green is also a very clean striker of the ball and has the potential to be a top-six batsman.

However, he may struggle to crack a Scorchers team which is full of bowling talent.

PREDICTED LINE-UP

Declan’s round one prediction (last updated on December 6):

1. Michael Klinger
2. David Willey
3. Hilton Cartwright
4. Mitch Marsh (capt)
5. Ashton Turner
6. Ashton Agar
7. Josh Inglis (wk)
8. Nathan Coulter-Nile
9. Andrew Tye
10. Jhye Richardson
11. Jason Behrendorff

Unavailable: Shaun Marsh (Test team), Cameron Bancroft (ban)

Reserves: Usman Qadir, Sam Whiteman, Cameron Green, Joel Paris, Matthew Kelly