BBL13 SuperCoach: Top batters for Big Bash League 2023-24

November 21, 2023 12:12 pm.by Jack Hudson

BBL SuperCoach preview

The 2023 BBL SuperCoach competition kicks off in the coming weeks with some of the world’s best T20 cricketers set to grace Australia’s shores for BBL13. Several franchises have made big moves in the lead-up to this year’s competition which, along with a new scoring system, will have a huge impact on the way SuperCoaches build their rosters.

A key tactic for SuperCoaches this season will be using all-rounders in the batting slots to free up space for some of the elite bowlers taking part in this tournament. Changes to the scoring system have reduced the amount of points batters can score via boundaries, while bowlers will be rewarded for wickets, dot balls, maiden overs bowled and economy rates when bowling three or more overs.

Let’s look at the top 10 selections for batters, wicketkeepers and all-rounders in the upcoming Big Bash League season.

(NB: English batter Harry Brook has withdrawn from the Big Bash this season and is yet to be removed from the SuperCoach player list.)

Aaron Hardie (Perth Scorchers)

Price: $178.3k
Projected points per game: 81

Aaron Hardie is one of the most promising all-rounders in Australian cricket. A hard-hitting middle-order batter who often opens the bowling for Western Australia, he is well-equipped to excel in all conditions and was one of the leading point-scorers in the BBL12 SuperCoach competition. Based on the new scoring system, Hardie leads projections for overall SuperCoach scoring in the BBL13 season, making him the best value selection to begin the competition.

Quinton de Kock (Melbourne Renegades)

Price: $180k
Projected points per game: 53

Quinton de Kock’s inclusion is an enormous boost for the Big Bash League and the Melbourne Renegades, who are looking to build on the improvements made in BBL12. The former South African captain was one of the standout batters at the recent Cricket World Cup in India, and his ability to notch 50-plus scores will bring bonus points. De Kock is expected to be the wicketkeeper for the Renegades, which adds further scoring potential through catches and stumpings.

Corey Anderson (Hobart Hurricanes)

Price: $105k
Projected points per game: 66

Having last played international cricket for New Zealand in 2018, Corey Anderson is now pushing for selection in the USA’s T20 World Cup squad for 2024, and success in BBL13 will be vital to earning that call-up. He was one of the stars in the inaugural Major League Cricket series earlier this year, and higher-quality wickets in Australia could lead to further success for the hard-hitting lefty. If he gets anywhere near his projection, Anderson will be one of the best BBL13 cheapies.

Josh Inglis (Perth Scorchers)

Price: $179.2k
Projected points per game: 44

Josh Inglis had the best SuperCoach season of his career in BBL12, ranking first among wicketkeepers and fifth among batters on average scoring. If he is promoted to the opening batting position for the Scorchers, he will have more opportunities to score compared to previous seasons. Fresh off helping Australia win the 2023 Men’s Cricket World Cup, Inglis should bring plenty of confidence into the BBL13 campaign.

Daniel Sams (Sydney Thunder)

Price: $162.5k
Projected points per game: 58

Daniel Sams had a below-average BBL12 compared to years prior. A dangerous lower-order batter that possesses exceptional skill with the ball, his performances improved in the MLC and English T20 Blast during the year before playing a key role in Randwick-Petersham’s victory in the New South Wales Premier T20 competition. Should Sams’ form continue to improve, he will be a must-have for every SuperCoach this season.

Tim David (Hobart Hurricanes)

Price: $158.4k
Projected points per game: 51

Tim David had a career-best season for the Hurricanes in BBL12, averaging more than 50 points per game with some jaw-dropping batting performances and fielding efforts. The short-form star’s performances in the MLC and Pakistan Super League suggest his best may be yet to come. The key to David’s success in BBL13 SuperCoach is his bowling; if he is given the ball more often this season, he could easily exceed his point-scoring projection.

Will Sutherland (Melbourne Renegades)

Price: $158.4k
Projected points per game: 46

Will Sutherland had arguably the biggest breakout season of any player in BBL12. His mind-blowing 138-point performance against the Sixers in Geelong showed why he is regarded as one of the brightest talents coming through Australian domestic cricket. Besides his batting and bowling exploits, Sutherland is also a brilliant athlete in the field who can create extra scoring opportunities for SuperCoaches.

Matt Short (Adelaide Strikers)

Price: $244.1k
Projected points per game: 42

Matt Short was the star of BBL12 for the Adelaide Strikers, scoring almost 300 more SuperCoach points than the second-best player on his team. The new scoring system appears to disadvantage Short for his ability to hit boundaries and deliver dot balls. However, greater success with ball in hand this season could lead to better scores than anticipated, which would make him an attractive option for SuperCoaches.

Josh Philippe (Sydney Sixers)

Price: $102.7k
Projected points per game: 18

Josh Philippe struggled with the bat during BBL12, which shows in his BBL13 points projection and price. At his best, he is one of the most damaging wicketkeeper-batters in Australian cricket with his incredible all-round stroke play. The Sixers have several highly skilled bowlers, which will give Philippe more opportunity to score points from behind the stumps, so he could be a brilliant value selection to start the season.

Michael Neser (Brisbane Heat)

Price: $194k
Projected points per game: 58

Michael Neser played a key role for the Brisbane Heat in their BBL title run last summer. The Queensland seamer got his side off to incredible starts opening the bowling and played incredible impact roles with the bat. The only limitation for Neser in BBL13 will be his availability should he be included in the Australian Test squad for matches against Pakistan and the West Indies. However, if Neser is fully available for this year’s BBL, he will be another must-have player.