HOW TO BEAT YOUR MATES …

explains the 10 commandments you should follow to ascend to the top of your league

1. BUILD YOUR BANK

The single biggest key to SuperCoach is to buy the right cheapies early, watch them blossom and then cull those fattened cows for guns.

2. WHAT’S ON THE MENU AT THE VENUE

Location can change everything in Big Bash. If the pitch is a road, lean towards star batters, if it’s offering value for bowlers, pop the armband on a bowler.

3. STRIKE RATE MATTERS FOR BATTERS

In BBL07 Glenn Maxwell scored 299 runs in nine innings, Cameron White scored 304 runs in just eight innings — yet despite averaging fewer runs per game Maxwell outscored White from batting alone. With a point on offer for every run scored above the number of balls faced there’s a big bonus on offer for the batsman who gets his runs in a hurry.

4. DOUBLE CHANCES AND ABSENCES

Pay close attention to the fixture list, as on some weeks teams play twice and on others they have a bye. With just three trades available each round you’ll want to be cautious of investing in players who play twice in one round and then don’t the next.

5. NOTE THE NEW POSITION RULES

It’s going to be easier to maintain a starting 11 this year with the revised team structure. You need to pick 16 players with seven batsmen, two wicketkeepers and seven bowlers. All-rounders are dual-position and selectable as either batsmen or bowlers. All wicketkeepers are dual position players selectable as batsmen or wicketkeepers.

6. SOMETIMES RELIABLE BEATS SEXY

Sure, you want as many superstars as you can afford, but don’t discount the value of a couple of mid-rangers who play every match in the season and help fill out your roster. Jake Weatherald averaged fully 10PPG less than Glenn Maxwell but scored 60 more total points thanks to playing every game of the season.

7. CAPTAINCY MATTERS

With double points on offer for your captain, it’s wise to invest in at least two quality players who can be relied on to put up solid scores more often than not. All-rounders and wicketkeepers are particularly attractive here due to multiple sources of points.

8. LOOK OUT FOR INTERNATIONAL DUTIES

Throughout the tournament there will be many highprofile SuperCoach players dropping in and out of squads due to international commitments. Be aware of this when dishing out the big bucks.

9. PAST PERFORMANCE OFFERS NO FUTURE GUARANTEE

D’Arcy Short was the best scoring SuperCoach player in BBL07. Short then didn’t exactly flop in the IPL — but his 115 runs off 99 balls at an average of 16.42 RPG was a step down on his BBL form.

10. SUPERCOACH HAS NO LOYALTY

While it is always tempting to pick players from your favourite team, it won’t work. Like the real Big Bash, SuperCoach is a business and won’t reward loyalty.