WICKET keepers were once set-and-forget for SuperCoach BBL. Pick the best one, and watch him rip all season long.

However, the position also takes on new significance in 2018-19 following changes to the SuperCoach BBL rules, with glovemen now dual position, selectable as both batsmen and wicket keepers.

And when SuperCoaches also consider the lengthened season and bye rounds, as much research will go into choosing your back-up glovemen as your preferred starter.

This year, you’ll need to lean on players who can come in for 20-30 per cent game time whilst your No.1 has a breather, and there are many other factors to take into consideration — price, dual position status, SuperCoach average and team performance.

It might be beneficial to lock in someone who’ll play all season long, whilst sacrificing points output for coverage.

As such, we’ve highlighted the top ranking glovemen from BBL|07 to help you choose this all-important yet underrated position.

It was a monster year for the Strikers, who seemingly had winners all over the park, but it was Alex Carey’s brilliance with the gloves and prowess with the willow that ranked him the No.1 wicketkeeper in the game and fourth-highest scoring SuperCoach player overall in BBL|07. Carey ranked first in the competition for dismissals, with 14 in last year’s tournament. He also ranked second to D’Arcy Short as the competition’s leading runscorer, making 443 runs, cracking 13 sixes and 46 boundaries for a strike rate of 141.53. Carey will be the most expensive ‘keeper available this year, but the Australian T20I vice-captain is a set-and-forget season-long investment that won’t let you down.

Jos Buttler - 6 games, 59.1 SuperCoach Average
The English international managed just six games before national duties took over last year, but Jos Buttler’s match-winning capabilities in BBL cannot be denied. The phenomenal power-hitter lit-up BBL|07, averaging 59 SuperCoach points off a limited number of games. Stepping out to the crease last year for 18 boundaries and 10 sixes, Buttler ranked just outside the top 10 for a strike rate of 143. Ranking equal-fourth overall for most dismissals by a wicketkeeper with five catches, Buttler looms as a tantalising option for SuperCoach players given the notable gap in the English schedule this summer, which will make Buttler available for most of the BBL|08 season.

Matthew Wade 12 games, 39 SuperCoach Average
Fronting up for all 12 games in BBL|07, Matthew Wade turned back the clock to provide a consistent output last season, ranking just outside the top 10 run scorers with 251 at a strike rate of 137.15. Wade’s hallmark is his ability to find the boundary, which he achieved 26 times last season, ranking ninth overall for 4s in BBL|07. While an almost 40-point SuperCoach average had him middle-of-the-pack in comparison to other ‘keepers, the Hurricanes look set to again contend this year, and Wade will again be called upon to play a part in that title push.

Peter Handscomb - 8 games, 28.5 SuperCoach Average
While Peter Handscomb has kept wicket for Australia in One Day Internationals, he is a self-confessed batsman first and foremost, and he’s a proven heavy-hitter in the short form game. However, as a gloveman, Handscomb ranked equal-fourth for dismissals by a keeper last year in BBL|07. It was a year of ups and downs for Handscomb, playing eight games but struggling for consistency, something reflective of the Stars’ BBL|07 season. With a reasonable strike rate of 104 and a batting average of 19.43, Handscomb’s SuperCoach average from last year isn’t encouraging enough to start him, but nonetheless is worth considering given his history.

Tim Ludeman 11 games, 19 SuperCoach Average
As the Renegades ‘keeper, Tim Ludeman has plenty of credit in the game over a prolonged period of time, but BBL|07 might’ve been a year to forget for prospective SuperCoach owners. After struggling most of the tournament, Ludeman managed just 210 SuperCoach points over 11 games, equating to a lousy average of only 19. The reason? Well, Ludeman has a history of cracking big scores with the willow, but failed to get many opportunities last year, facing just 50 balls in total for 61 runs. However, it was his work with the gloves that make him a reliable option this year with eight catches and three stumpings. While prices are yet to be revealed, Ludeman might be a worthy consideration as a cheap back-up, depth option. Just make sure he doesn’t share a bye with your first-choice keeper!