Sports Buzz

Tag: Tim Michell

  • SuperCoach BBL winner’s ultimate late birthday present

    SuperCoach BBL winner’s ultimate late birthday present

    She’s the cleaner from Gympie who cleaned up in SuperCoach BBL.

    Sharmaine Gear, an avid sports fan from the Queensland, scored herself $25,000 as the winner of SuperCoach BBL for BBL13.

    The 57-year-old’s team Oddfellows finished second for total points — but the only team ahead of hers was ruled ineligible due to living in the UK under Australian competitions rules.

    Sharmaine said she was thrilled to have won $5000 for finishing second, only to score a late birthday present when she was notified she had won the day after turning 57.

    “I just thought it was a scam, I thought ‘that can’t be right’,” she said.

    “I have played before, but never (finished) high up.

    “This year, just the luck went my way.”

    Sharmaine rose from 235th in the rankings after round 5 to be second after nine rounds, progressing from that position to 107th before rocketing into contention with a huge round 7 score of 1354.

    “I had Neser as my captain and that came home,” she said.

    “I thought, ‘I’m 16th, I might get in the top 10 here’. The next week, I was coming third and I thought ‘oh wow, I could get second or third here’.”

    Neser scored 216 to help provide Sharmaine’s team with a platform for her tilt at glory.

    Hobart Hurricanes breakout star Nikhil Chaudhary is another player she is thankful to for her success.

    “I had him right from the very beginning and I didn’t know much about him,” she said.

    “He was consistent for me and I thought, ‘this guy is OK’.

    “And for some reason, the Scorchers are always just consistent. I had a lot of them for most of the time as well.

    “One big important thing was the weather, you’ve just got to make sure they play.

    “You could have lost everything on the first round. The Heat had three games … but they ended up only having two. You had to be really careful.”

    And she’s not going to rest on her laurels, having already entered a team for a crack at SuperCoach NRL glory.

    “I love my sport,” she said.

    “I love my cricket and NRL. I just love that kind of stuff.

    “ (SuperCoach) makes your brain work and you’ve just got to keep an eye on things.

    “The imports, that was bugbear. You don’t know when they’re coming or going.”

    Sharmaine described herself as someone who loves sport, enjoys a beer and spends her spare time playing golf.

    “My brother and nephew, they’re right into their sport and they’re rapt — especially my nephew,” she said.

    “He can’t believe it. They think it’s pretty awesome.

    “I’ll just whack (the prizemoney) on the house, something boring.

    “And I want a few things like new headphones, a new boombox and things like that.”

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  • President celebrates Windies’ spectacular debutant

    President celebrates Windies’ spectacular debutant

    As the first day of the Test against the once mighty – now frighteningly undermanned West Indies looked to be going the way many had feared, one unlikely hero stood up for the men in Maroon.

    After runs and wickets on day one, can debutant Shamar Joseph continue his explosive start?

    Follow all the action from the Adelaide Oval live.

    YOU HAVE THE PRESIDENT’S ATTENTION

    Shamar Joseph’s extraordinary exploits in his first day as a Test cricketer have been celebrated by the president of his South American nation.

    The debutant smashed 36 from No. 11 before capturing the wicket of the current world no. 3 Test batter Steve Smith with his first ball.

    If that wasn’t enough, he followed by dismissing world no. 4 batter Marnus Labuschagne for 10.

    The president of Guyana, Irfaan Ali posted a tribute to Joseph on his official facebook page.

    “Beautifully bowled!!!

    “Guyanese fast bowler Shamar Joseph made a remarkable start to his international career this evening with the wicket of the experienced Steve Smith from his very first ball in Test cricket.”

    Joseph was raised in the village of Baracara in the jungles of Guyana, an area so remote that it only gained telephone connections in 2018.

    The town can only be accessed from the regional centre of Berbice following a two day boat trip up the Canje River.

    ‘Tentative’ Smith questioned after Adelaide opening misfire

    Australian selectors have been urged to show patience with Steve Smith in his new role as an opener after a “tentative” start to his new role in Adelaide.

    Smith was out for 12 from 26 balls off the first ball bowled by Shamar Joseph in Test cricket in his first innings since succeeding David Warner at the top of the order.

    Former Aussie wicketkeeper Brad Haddin said Smith’s nerves were obvious.

    “It was an interesting day for Steve Smith,” Haddin on Fox Cricket.

    “He looked a little bit nervous, to be honest. He got a couple of pull shots away.

    “Then he probably defended at a ball he didn’t have to. It was about sixth stump … he just looked a bit tentative for mine, Steve Smith, to start.”

    But Brett Lee said any suggestion Smith would be a short-term fix at opener would be proven wrong, saying: “Just give him time”.

    Haddin added: “I think it’s been a great decision. The one thing about the decision is Steve Smith wanted to open … he wants a new challenge.”

    The man who benefited most from Smith’s switch – Cameron Green – will resume alongside Usman Khawaja on day 2 with Australia trailing by 129 runs at 2-59.

    After stumps, Josh Hazlewood told Fox Cricket he was hopeful of a quiet second day at Adelaide Oval.

    “Hopefully bat all day. The wicket does flatten out a bit once that ball gets old. Hopefully a couple of boys can lock in and bat the day, for sure,” he said.

    Hazlewood and Pat Cummins shared eight of the 10 wickets for Australia as West Indies were skittled for 188.

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  • Stage set for Warner fairytale as Aussies roll Pakistan

    Stage set for Warner fairytale as Aussies roll Pakistan

    The stage is set for David Warner to be the hero on his last day as a Test cricketer.

    A three-wicket over from Josh Hazlewood late on day three put Australia in the box seat to send Warner out a winner at the SCG on Saturday.

    Pakistan resumed on Saturday on 7-68 with a lead of 82 runs on a wicket that is playing more tricks than David Copperfield.

    Follow all the live action from day four below.

    11.15AM: ALL OUT! AUSTRALIA TO CHASE 130 FOR VICTORY

    That’s it! Nathan Lyon finishes with three, bowling Hasan Ali for five to bring Pakistan’s innings to a close.

    Pakistan are all out for 115, setting Australia a victory target of 130.

    That sets the scene perfectly for David Warner – can he steer Australia to one last win? Another clean sweep?

    It’s his time. It’s his day.

    11.00AM: WICKET! JAMAL FALLS, PAKISTAN IN TROUBLE

    One brings two!

    This time it is Aamir Jamal who falls the over after Rizwan, he goes for 18, again falling for the Australian trap.

    They put a man on the square leg boundary and Pat Cummins has Jamal pulling for six – but he didn’t quite middling it, and Travis Head takes a simple outfield catch.

    That double blow has put the clamps on this innings, and Pakistan’s lead of 123 is now looking quite skinny.

    Hasan Ali and Mir Hamza in the middle now.

    10.55AM: WICKET! LYON GETS THE BREAKTHROUGH

    The GOAT strikes. Mohammad Rizwan departs for 28, ending a hugely valuable 42 run partnership.

    The plan works, with Rizwan tickling a straight one down to David Warner at leg slip.

    The Aussies erupt. They needed to wake the crowd up a bit, and that’s done it.

    Pakistan leads by 123.

    10.50AM: PAKISTAN ‘TAKE THE WIND OUT OF AUSSIE SAILS’

    Pat Cummins has been busy this morning, moving the field around, trying bowling changes.

    He’s even brought himself back into the attack.

    But none of it is working. This pair has now added 41 for the eighth wicket, extended the lead to 122. And it’s officially in dangerous territory for Australia.

    “They’ve taken the wind out of the sails of the Ausssies,” says Mark Waugh.

    Having thrown the ball to Hazlewood, Lyon, Head and himself, is it going to be all that long before we see Mitchell Starc?

    10.40AM: AUSSIES DEPLOY DOUBLE-SPIN ATTACK

    We got four overs of Josh Hazlewood, without the fireworks of last evening, before Pat Cummins turned to a two-pronged spin attack to get the most out of this pitch.

    Travis Head has replaced Hazlewood. He had success last night to get Babar Azam out caught behind, and with the pitch taking a lot of turn, Cummins is rolling with a dual Head-Nathan Lyon spinning combination to get the breakthrough.

    The lead, however, has grown past 100. Pakistan leads by 104 now.

    10.30AM: PAKISTAN MAKE BRIGHT START

    It is hard going, but Pakistan are doing everything they need right now.

    Between Rizwan and Jamal, they’ve added 13 runs to the overnight score – nudging that lead towards the century mark.

    It’s 95 at the moment, still with three wickets in hand. With every run that is scored, Pakistan creep closer to a mark that could worry Australia.

    “The main point for me is you can see it’s very, very crumbly, Nathan Lyon be licking his lips, as will the Pakistani bowlers,” says former Australian coach Justin Langer on Channel 7.

    “Interestingly enough, it was Josh Hazlewood who took those wickets yesterday, Pakistan will be attacking the stumps and it will spin… every run Pakistan can get will be vital.”

    10.10AM: THE STATS THAT GIVE PAKISTAN HOPE

    – LACHLAN MCKIRDY

    After Josh Hazlewood’s devastating spell late on day three, Pakistan crumbled to 7-68 with a lead of just 82 going into Saturday morning.

    And while the result looks to be heavily in Australia’s favour, history shows that chasing any sort of total at the SCG has never been straightforward.

    Only four times this century has a team chased a total of 100+ runs in the fourth innings and won at the SCG. And no team has successfully chased a total in the fourth innings at the ground since 2013 when Australia ran down Sri Lanka with 5-141.

    While it’s unlikely to get that far, only five times in history has a team successfully chased down a total of 200 runs or more at the ground. The last of which was the highest chase at the ground, Australia’s 2-288 against South Africa in January 2006.

    Highest fourth innings run chases at the SCG

    Australia – 2/288 v South Africa in January 2006

    Australia 4/276 v England in February 1898

    Australia 8/275 v England in December 1907

    Australia 6/260 v New Zealand in November 1985

    Australia 4/219 v England in December 1980

    Australia 5/214 v England in February 1947

    10.00AM: HAZLEWOOD GETS THINGS GOING ON DAY FOUR

    Here we go. Josh Hazlewood, last night’s hero, will take the ball to start things off. He has 4-9 from his five overs.

    Pakistan, holding onto an 82 run lead, desperately need a partnership. Rizwan and Jamal, who were Pakistan’s highest runscorers in the first innings, are in the middle.

    Can they conjure something special? And will Australia revert to their preferred plan of short-pitched bowling at the tail?

    You’d say surely not, considering how ruthless Hazlewood was when he hit the right areas late last night.

    But we’re about to find out.

    9.45AM: GHOSTS OF CHASES PAST…

    It seems likely that Australia will be chasing a modest victory target today – it would take an extraordinary effort for Pakistan to add another 120, and push their lead beyond 200.

    But that doesn’t mean anyone in the Australian camp is taking it lightly.

    You don’t need to look far for a reminder of what can happen on this ground with a small target.

    In 1994 an Australian team boasting greats Mark Taylor, David Boon and Mark Waugh, and led by Allan Border, was set a target of 117.

    “We got bowled out for 111,” said Waugh on Fox Cricket.

    “But the thing is can Pakistan make another 60 runs?”

    9.30AM: GLORIOUS SUNSHINE FOR WARNER DAY 2.0

    Hello from the SCG where it is a beautiful sunny day, with the ground starting to fill up with an expectant crowd hoping for a dream David Warner farewell.

    Australia finished day three in extraordinary fashion, ripping the guts out of Pakistan’s middle order and putting their victory plans firmly on ice.

    Josh Hazlewood’s triple-wicket maiden was the cherry on top of a staggering final session in which Australia, firstly, conceded a 14-run first-innings lead and then ran riot thereafter – reducing Pakistan to 7-68 at stumps in a frenetic final hour.

    What will happen today? Well, the pitch quickly transitioned from ‘bowlers’ graveyard’ to ‘complete minefield’ at some point yesterday, so anything could happen.

    Pakistan holds an 82-run lead and will do everything within their power to stretch that, with their final three wickets, to a target of 150.

    After which it will be Australia’s chance to chase a clean sweep and the ideal Warner send off.

    We’ll be here all the way.

    9:00AM THE SUN SHINES OVER THE SCG – FOR NOW!

    With just a bit over an hour before play starts, the sun is out and the SCG is looking a picture.

    The forecast from the Bureau of Meteorology is for a cloudy day with just a 20 per cent chance of rain over Sydney so we will get a result today … guaranteed!

    HAZLEWOOD SETS IDEAL TARGET FOR TRICKY CHASE

    — Tim Michell

    Josh Hazlewood has set a target of bowling Pakistan out with a lead of less than 130 as Australia looks to clinch a 3-0 series victory on day four at the SCG.

    The match situation could not be set up more perfectly for David Warner, who is all but certain to play his last Test innings on Saturday.

    Pakistan crashed from 2-58 to 7-68 in a chaotic finish to the third day as Hazlewood took three wickets in an over after Travis Head and Nathan Lyon exposed the visitors’ soft underbelly.

    “As we have seen with the wicket, it’s quite tough. Under 100 would be outstanding but anything under 130 I think would be ideal,” Hazlewood told Fox Cricket.

    Hazlewood said Warner would be “obviously key” to Australia’s chances of capping a hard-fought series in style.

    “He’s always nice in these sort of chases to get a quick 40 or 50 and really blunt the attack straight away as we have seen for the best part of 10 or 12 years now. He’s obviously key in that chase,” he said.

    Just don’t expect Pat Cummins to call on Warner for a bowl.

    “Maybe at 10 and 11 if we have got them in together,” Hazlewood said.

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  • Gilchrist takes aim at Carey critics

    Gilchrist takes aim at Carey critics

    We saw the best and the worst of Pakistan on day three as they had the Australians reeling at 4-16 before dropping Mitchell Marsh at first slip.

    Marsh and Steve Smith helped Australia fight its way back into the Test match before Pakistan fought back to snare two late wickets.

    How many runs will Australia finish with? And can Pat Cummins and his band of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon bowl Australia to victory?

    How many runs will they need to take Pakistan out of the game?

    Follow all the action live here.

    GILCHRIST JUMPS TO CAREY DEFENCE

    Tim Michell

    One of Australia’s greatest glovemen has declared criticism of Alex Carey’s form has been unwarranted.

    Carey has increasingly come under the microscope in recent Tests, having averaged 12.1 runs since his controversial stumping of Jonny Bairstow in the Ashes.

    The 32-year-old, who has career Test batting average of 32.4, will have a chance to improve that figure when he resumes on day four with a crucial role to marshall the tail.

    Adam Gilchrist said Carey had been noticeable quieter behind the stumps since the Bairstow incident, but defended the wicketkeeper’s recent form.

    “I don’t feel any need to have any pressure on Alex Carey. I don’t see that there’s any extra burden or any expectation that he has to do something,” Gilchrist said on Fox Cricket.

    “Twelve months ago in this very Test match he became the first Australian keeper to score 100 in the Boxing Day Test. He’s reliable.

    “His opinion is highly respected within the team set-up. A number of areas. And you think the runs will come. As long as he’s doing his job with the gloves there doesn’t need to be any expectation (or) external pressure on him.”

    Carey was displaced by Josh Inglis during Australia’s successful ODI World Cup run, while Queensland gloveman Jimmy Peirson was behind the stumps when the Prime Minister’s XI faced Pakistan recently.

    “Keeping in touch with him regularly, he seems on face value the same person, the same buoyant personality, the hard worker,” Gilchrist said.

    “You can certainly rely on that. That he puts in ridiculous hours working on his glovework. Standing back, standing up to the stumps and obviously then incorporating that same ethic into his batting.”

    Gilchrist said Carey, whose sole career hundred came in last summer’s Boxing Day Test, would have been disappointed to fall cheaply in the first innings in Melbourne.

    “There’s some days of Test cricket when you walk out batting at No.7 that they present you with, in your mind, ‘OK, I’ve got time to get in here. I’ve got all day to bat. Or as much time as I want to have’,” he said.

    “There’s other times when you’re in a bit more of a rush if the top-order has already posted 300,350. So Carey would have been frustrated with that inside edge.”

    See all of yesterday’s action here.

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  • Late strike gives Aussies hope on day of Indian domination

    Late strike gives Aussies hope on day of Indian domination

    Australia is in desperate need of early wickets on the second day of its historic Test against India after the hosts dominated the opening day in Mumbai.

    Smriti Mandhana was 43 not out and Sneh Rana unbeaten on four at stumps as a 90-run opening stand between Shafali Verma and Mandhana put India in the driver’s seat.

    Earlier, Phoebe Litchfield’s first taste of Test cricket in India turned to disaster when she was run out without facing a ball.

    Australia was reeling at 2-7 after a mix-up between Litchfield and Beth Mooney and a Ellyse Perry’s early dismissal off the bowling of seamer Pooja Vastrakar.

    Vastrakar extracted plenty of movement from the Mumbai pitch, dazzling the Australians with 4-53 from 16 overs.

    Tahlia McGrath (50), Mooney (40) and captain Alyssa Healy (38) got starts but were unable to convert into the big score Australia was craving.

    Day one would have been even more lopsided had it not been for a late rally from Australia’s lower-order.

    From 8-168, Jess Jonassen (19) and Kim Garth (28 not out) rescued the innings and lifted Australia passed 200.

    “We just didn’t stick at our plans for long enough,” McGrath said.

    “There’s still a lot of cricket to be played in this game…hopefully we swing the momentum back.”

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  • ‘Pretty brave’: Hazlewood’s grim pitch-warning for Pakistan

    ‘Pretty brave’: Hazlewood’s grim pitch-warning for Pakistan

    Josh Hazlewood has warned Pakistan’s batters things are only going to get tougher from here on a Perth pitch providing plenty of encouragement to go short.

    Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith both required attention from the physios on day three as Pakistan’s quicks made the most of a quickly cracking pitch.

    DAY THREE RECAP: GOAT WAITS ON 500, MARNUS HURT ON DAY OF DRAMA

    While a battered and bruised Smith made it stumps unbeaten, Labuschagne’s innings came to a close shortly after being struck on the right pinky and he was expected to have the digit scanned on Sunday.

    “Batting looked pretty tough there at the end,” Hazlewood said. “As the game goes along I think the cracks will come more into play.”

    “I think anyone who walks out there and bats is pretty brave,” he later added. “It’s probably going to get tougher to play the short ball than the first innings.

    “The last innings Pakistan just sort of ducked under and knew it was going over the top. With the up and down movement that could be a play I guess in the second innings potentially. I still think there’s enough there on the front foot to take 10 wickets as well.”

    Head’s spin on denying Lyon wicket No.500

    When the part-time finger-spin of Travis Head tempted Shaheen Afridi into a doomed drive, a collective sigh was let out across the nation.

    Saturday would not be the day for Nathan Lyon’s historic 500th Test wicket.

    The off-spinner finished Pakistan’s first innings with figures of 3-66 and his career tally sitting at a frustrating 499.

    He shouldn’t have to wait too long for a chance at No.500, with seamer Josh Hazlewood tipping an early declaration.

    “For me, probably the general idea would be halfway through the day tomorrow (to declare), could be earlier or later but that will be the rough guide,” Hazlewood said after day three.

    Touching on Head’s unwitting role in extending Lyon’s wait, Hazlewood said: “I think Travis said, ‘when they replay your 500th wicket you don’t want it to be a tailender, you want it to be a good wicket up the top (of the order).

    “So we’ll see that for the second innings hopefully.”

    Ex-Test captain’s grim outlook for Pakistan

    Former England captain Michael Vaughan has painted a bleak picture for Pakistan as it tries to fight its way back into the Test series against Australia.

    Speaking late on day three as Australia’s lead neared 300, Vaughan said Pakistan had “given it everything” but still faced a significant fourth-innings chase.

    And if his outlook is right, Pakistan won’t last long on day four when its turn comes to bat.

    “I reckon that 271 was as well as they can bat,” Vaughan said on Fox Cricket.

    “The way that the Australians bowled and I think they had a bit of fortune – there was plenty of balls that went past the outside edge.

    “With the ball in the first innings, apart that first session, I thought they were very good.

    “Yet they still trail Australia by 295. They’ve given it everything. Just a gulf in class.”

    Mark Waugh said a Babar Azam hundred was likely the only way Pakistan could provide a greater threat with the bat.

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  • SuperCoach BBL: Everything you need to know

    SuperCoach BBL: Everything you need to know

    Much like a school student cramming for an exam, many KFC SuperCoaches will only start their planning in the final days before BBL13.

    And considering the team changes, late signings and availability, that might be a bad thing.

    Teams have still been finalising their squads in the days leading into the tournament, with a host of local replacements locked in.

    The beauty is if you’re just starting to think about who to select, we’ve got you covered.

    Follow the links below to get advice from our experts and put yourself in the running for a host of prizes including the overall prize of $25k.

    THE BASICS

    ●SUPERCOACH BBL CHEAT SHEET

    ●BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO SUPERCOACH BBL

    ●WHAT TO EXPECT FROM SUPERCOACH IN BBL13

    PICKING A TEAM

    ●THE FIRST FIVE PLAYERS YOU SHOULD PICK

    ●KEY NAMES IN EVERY POSITION PROFILED

    NAILING ROUND 1

    ●EXPERT PREDICTED TEAMS, BEST XIS

    ●WHICH HEAT PLAYERS SHOULD YOU PICK?

    CHEAPIE GUIDE

    ●11 BEST BARGAIN BUYS OF BBL13 NAMED

    WINNER’S ADVICE

    ●FIVE WAYS I WON SUPERCOACH BBL TWICE

    EXPERT TEAM REVEALS

    ●TIM MICHELL

    ●MIKE HUSSEY

    ●THE PHANTOM

    ●TOM SANGSTER

    ●LACHIE MCKIRDY

    ●ANDREW LANGLEY

    ● DANIEL CHERNY

    ● HONEYBALL BBL, DAMO SUPERCOACH

    AND IF YOU’RE STILL STRUGGLING …

    ●PICK THIS EXPERT CONSENSUS TEAM

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  • SuperCoach BBL’s 12 biggest ownership shocks

    SuperCoach BBL’s 12 biggest ownership shocks

    There’s no feeling in SuperCoach like finding a bargain hordes of other teams have missed.

    But with four teams on the double and Brisbane Heat on the triple in round 1, it’s arguably harder than ever this summer.

    We’ve analysed the ownership stats and come up with six of the best options with low ownership for your SuperCoach team and provided a warning on five popular players.

    Don’t miss the chance to move them on before the first rolling lockout on Thursday.

    TOO HIGH

    Quinton de Kock 32 per cent

    Why? The South African superstar won’t feature in the BBL until December 21, missing both Renegades matches in round 1 while he finishes playing in the Abu Dhabi T10 League.

    OTHER OPTIONS: Tom Curran, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Jason Behrendorff, Ben Dwarshuis, Tom Rogers

    Michael Neser* 35 per cent

    Why? The Brisbane Heat seamer makes this list – but with an asterisk. Neser’s ownership remained above 30 per cent this week despite being named in the Prime Minister’s XI squad. But he has now withdrawn from that match citing soreness. The Heat said on Monday it would likely make a gameday call on whether Neser had recovered enough to play in the season opener against Melbourne Stars. If he misses, the thousands of coaches still carrying Neser will need to act fast.

    OTHER OPTIONS: Tom Curran, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Jason Behrendorff, Ben Dwarshuis, Tom Rogers

    Beau Webster 10 per cent

    Why? The Melbourne Stars all-rounder is also in that PM’s XI squad. Expect him to play on January 13 against Perth Scorchers, but you’re better off targeting players who will feature in both games of the double.

    OTHER OPTIONS: Tom Curran, Aaron Hardie, Josh Inglis, Jason Behrendorff, Ben Dwarshuis, Tom Rogers

    Zak Crawley 4 per cent

    Why? Currentlyin the West Indies playing in an ODI series for England. Got 48 off 63 balls in the first game. The third ODI is on September 10 so factoring in travel, he’s a long shot to feature on December 13 against Melbourne Stars for his new franchise Perth Scorchers. December 20 against his former side Hobart seems a more realistic target.

    OTHER OPTIONS: Usama Mir, Haris Rauf, Sam Billings, Marcus Stoinis, Glenn Maxwell, Mujeeb ur Rahman

    Rehan Ahmed 4 per cent

    Why? He’s not coming to the BBL anymore. The leg-spinner was drafted by the Sixers but has been replaced by Izharulhaq Naveed after being selected for both legs of the West Indies white-ball tour. He’s also likely to tour India with England.

    OTHER OPTIONS: Marcus Stoinis, Josh Philippe, Ben McDermott, Nic Maddinson

    TOO LOW

    Xavier Bartlett 5 per cent

    Why? Heat are one of the most uncertain teams in round 1 after being robbed of four players by the PM’s XI. Usman Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne will play in the season opener before Test duties. Then in the bowling stocks, Spencer Johnson hasn’t played since late September. If you’re looking for a bowler to vice-captain or captain for the Heat double, Bartlett is the man.

    David Payne 1 per cent

    Why? Strikers play twice in round 2 and he proved how effective he could be in the BBL while playing for Perth Scorchers. Averaged 64.3 in four matches as a Scorcher, which ranked fifth of players who featured in at least two BB12 games. There’s a vacancy for a death bowler after Peter Siddle’s departure and Payne is likely to fill it. By preparing for round 2, you will save yourself a trade?

    Nic Maddinson 5 per cent

    Why? The batting reshuffle at Melbourne Renegades is on ahead of round 1. Quinton de Kock has been ruled out and there’s doubts over whether Shaun Marsh will be fit. Even if Marsh does play, Maddinson is likely to be the man who shuffles to the top of the order to partner Joe Clarke. If Maddinson bowls too, he’s not going to be less than $90k for long.

    Haris Rauf 6 per cent

    Why? Rauf has finally been cleared by the Pakistan Cricket Board to feature in the first five games of BBL13 for Melbourne Stars. The Pakistan speedster has been one of the BBL’s most lethal bowlers, boasting a strike rate of a wicket every 12.7 balls. If the only reason you were holding off was PCB approval, don’t hesitate to pick him now. One thing to be mindful of is that Rauf misses the Stars’ round 5 double. His last match will be on December 28 in round 4 of SuperCoach BBL.

    Kane Richardson 8 per cent

    Why? Talk of a glute injury has scared a few SuperCoaches off, but the latest was that Richardson’s setback is only minor. If that’s the case, it will be a big sigh of relief for the Renegades and make him close to a must-have in SuperCoach. He’s only $143k and the Renegades play five times in the opening three rounds.

    Jason Behrendorff 9 per cent

    Why? He’s one of the form bowlers in Australia. The big left-armer has six wickets in four T20 matches against India and will enter the BBL all guns blazing. Jhye Richardson and Andrew Tye take a lot of the spotlight away from Behrendorff but he’s a consistent SuperCoach scorer. Last season he only dipped below 45 twice, which is a brilliant floor.

    Glenn Maxwell 64 per cent

    Why? He scored a double century and 40-ball ton at the World Cup and a 48-ball 104 against India in the T20 series. He’s the most-popular player in the game but at $118k with a round 1 double Maxwell should be in every team. What are the 36 per cent without him thinking?

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  • SuperCoach BBL: Which Brisbane Heat players should you pick?

    SuperCoach BBL: Which Brisbane Heat players should you pick?

    Set your alarms for 6.30pm on December 7.

    The first Brisbane team of BBL13 will shape the plans of many KFC SuperCoaches hoping to take advantage of the Heat’s round 1 triple.

    Brisbane has games against Melbourne Stars, Adelaide Strikers and Sydney Thunder in the opening week of BBL13.

    The problem confronting KFC SuperCoaches is many of the Heat’s best players won’t feature in all three games.

    Nathan McSweeney has been chosen to lead the PM’s XI team.

    Michael Neser, Jimmy Peirson and Matthew Renshaw will also face Pakistan.

    Marnus Labuschagne an Usman Khawaja will play in the season opener, but then jet off to Test duties and likely not feature again in the BBL this summer.

    Despite those selection headaches, there are still a host of great Heat players to consider for your round 1 SuperCoach team.

    Head over to supercoach.com.au and lock yours in today.

    FIVE HEAT PLAYERS TO CONSIDER FOR ROUND 1

    1. Sam Billings $116,900 WKP-BAT

    The English wicketkeeper-bat averaged 23.4 runs in eight matches last season with a top score of 79. Those numbers sound concerning, but much of the risk is offset by Brisbane Heat’s triple in round 1. Billings has a breakeven (the score a player must hit to start making money) of 112, which is very achievable. He will almost certainly be keeping for the first two games while Jimmy Peirson is with the PM’s XI and is likely to bat in the top four. His form this year hasn’t been great, but Billings is capable of exploding out of the blocks.

    2. Colin Munro $156,100 BAT

    Munro has racked up more than 400 T20 appearances and more than 10,000 runs in his career. And at 36, the New Zealander is showing no signs of slowing down. He tuned up for the BBL with a knock of 36 off 15 balls in the Abu Dhabi T10 competition which suggested he’s seeing the ball very well. Averaged 34 runs last season with a strike rate of 150 and finished with a KFC SuperCoach average of 50.4 — one of the highest of any BAT only player.

    3. Mitchell Swepson $71,300 BWL

    The Heat’s leg-spinner was well below his best in BBL12, only managing five wickets in 14 games at an average of 67.8. But the best SuperCoaches know trusting a player’s career form as opposed to one poor campaign can help snare a bargain. With a break even of 68, Swepson only needs one haul in Brisbane’s opening three games to start generating money. He scored 71 when he took 2-23 against the Heat’s first opponent Melbourne Stars last summer.

    4. Matt Kuhnemann $104,000 BWL

    Kuhnemann took the mantle of the Heat’s No. 1 spinner last summer, playing 18 matches and finishing with 16 wickets. Only Michael Neser (58.1) bowled more overs than Kuhnemann (56) for Brisbane in BBL12. He consistently scored between 30-60 SuperCoach points last year, posting totals in that range in seven of the last nine rounds. So expect solid returns, rather than big hundreds, if you choose to start Kuhnemann. Still, three 30s in round 1 would guarantee a score of 90, which isn’t to be scoffed at.

    5. Spencer Johnson $125,500 BWL

    The big left-armer was one of the breakout stars of BBL12 and his accuracy in the death overs won him a call up to Australia’s white-ball squads. He could be a must-have in SuperCoach if he’s fit for round 1, but that’s still not certain. Johnson didn’t feature in the T20 series against India and has been struggling with a few niggles this season. Three games in six days might be a big ask after not playing since September 24.

    AVOID — Marnus Labuschagne, Michael Neser, Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Jimmy Peirson, Matthew Renshaw

    But aren’t they some of Brisbane’s best players? Yes, that is correct. The issue is that availability is a key factor in SuperCoach BBL and most of these players will feature only once in round 1. Neser, McSweeney, Perison and Renshaw will miss the first two BBL games after being chosen in the PM’s XI, while Khawaja and Labuschagne will only play once before joining the Test squad.

    MOST POPULAR HEAT PLAYERS

    (Stats current as of December 2)

    Michael Neser — 39.3 per cent of teams

    Mitchell Swepson — 38.7 per cent of teams

    Sam Billings — 27.4 per cent of teams

    Spencer Johnson — 26.4 per cent of teams

    Colin Munro — 22 per cent of teams

    Matt Kuhnemann — 17.1 per cent of teams

    Josh Brown — 11.6 per cent of teams

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  • What Rashid blow, PM’s XI mean for SuperCoach must-haves

    What Rashid blow, PM’s XI mean for SuperCoach must-haves

    It doesn’t get much bigger than the opening round of SuperCoach BBL for BBL13.

    In seven seasons of Australia’s favourite fantasy cricket game, we have never had a round like what’s in store to kick off the new campaign.

    That’s because Brisbane Heat plays three times — yes, three times.

    That early fixture has placed a premium on Heat assets and most KFC SuperCoaches will stack their teams with players from Brisbane.

    That appears an obvious formula to make a flying start to SuperCoach, but it’s also important you don’t miss players who are underpriced and will appreciate in value quickly.

    Rashid Khan would have been one of those, but his back injury has thrown another curve ball at SuperCoach teams.

    It’s important to find the right mix between targeting doubles, triples and cash cows to get your team rolling and set yourself up for success in BBL13.

    These are the five players every team should start:

    1. Glenn Maxwell (Stars) $118,300 BAT-BWL

    In seven seasons of KFC SuperCoach BBL, the Stars skipper has never been this cheap. The closest Maxwell came to his starting price for BBL13 was in the 2019-20 campaign, when he finished the tournament at $137,900. That gives you an indication of the bargain you’re getting this summer. Maxwell is the type of three-dimensional cricketer who is a KFC SuperCoach dream as he can score points with the bat, ball and in the field. He’s only this cheap after missing all of last season due to injury, which resulted in a significant price discount. To give you an idea of his pointscoring prowess, Maxwell finished BBL11 with hauls of 103, 138 and 219 in KFC SuperCoach. The Stars are one of the teams on the double in round 1 too.

    2. Spencer Johnson (Heat) $125,500 BWL

    The big left-arm quick was one of the breakout stars of BBL12, overcoming years of injury problems to surge onto the national radar. Johnson snared nine wickets in 10 matches, emerging as one of the country’s most accurate T20 death bowlers. And his rise was a big win for KFC SuperCoaches who took a leap of faith at $42k. Johnson doubled in price by the end of the tournament, scoring 21, 65, 35, 51 and 71 KFC SuperCoach points. It’s important to target death bowlers in KFC SuperCoach as there’s when most wickets fall — and therefore points are accumulated. Johnson has that role sewn up at the Heat after his impressive finish last season. The only potential issue here is a niggling injury which has hampered his build up. He’s still a must-have if he’s named for the opening game of the tournament though.

    3. Tom Curran (Sixers) $180,000 BAT-BWL

    The English star is back in the BBL after almost two years and primed to have a major say in Sydney Sixers’ fortunes. Curran started BBL11 at $201k and delivered a score of 140 points in the opening round. He withdrew from that tournament two rounds later with a back issue. That was the last time Curran featured in Australia but he was one of the best scorers in KFC SuperCoach when available. He averaged 73 points in 2018-19 and 71.5 in 2019-20, seasons which included three round scores above 150. He already had a dream role for KFC SuperCoach as a death bowler batting at seven, but could be elevated in the line-up this season after Dan Christian’s retirement. The Sixers are among a host of teams who play twice in round 1.

    4. Sam Billings (Heat) $116,900 WKP-BAT

    Some would argue Ben McDermott should be in this spot considering he’s only $88,000. The Hurricanes don’t have a double until round 7 though and KFC SuperCoach BBL is all about maximising your returns by targeting the fixture. Instead of taking McDermott (who admittedly is underpriced), why wouldn’t you spend the extra $28k and pick English star Billings instead? His middle-order role isn’t ideal, as it means he relies on the top order failing to score maximum batting points. But considering Brisbane plays three times in round 1, you should expect at least two strong returns. And that’s more than enough to justify paying a price which is about $30k cheaper than he started BBL12. Billings will also keep for the first two matches of the tournament while Jimmy Peirson is playing for the PM’s XI.

    5. Quinton de Kock (Renegades) $180,000 WKP-BAT

    The South African opener will arrive in Australia after a World Cup campaign where he averaged 59.4 at a strike rate of 107. Only Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma scored more runs than de Kock in that tournament, which underlines the form he’s in. It’s normally risky to pay this much for an overseas batter coming into the BBL, but de Kock is no ordinary import. We’re talking about one of the best white-ball batters in the world. The Renegades play five times in the opening three rounds and if de Kock lives up to his reputation early on, you’ll lose touch with the SuperCoach frontrunners quickly unless you start him.

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