ROOKIES are the key to any strong SuperCoach team. Not only do they help you put together a squad within your salary cap, but they will help your SupeCoach team grow in overall price, allowing you to upgrade starting rookies into bona fide premium players — the players who top score on the weekly.

But finding which rookies to start is a whole other caper. Some rookies are just that, young guys in their first one or two seasons who are still light-on for experience. Others are veterans who provide durability and job security, while some are well-known names returning from injury layoffs.

Nonetheless, I’ve outlined the top 10 cheapies who should be considered in your SuperCoach team in BBL|08.

Callum Ferguson | BAT | $62,500
The sublimely talented but perennially inconsistent Callum Ferguson looks to have put the latter in the past after a solid summer in England and fiery JLT Cup series for South Australia. For the Redbacks, Ferguson played four games, notching a total of 278 runs for a 69.5 average, the best of which was 133 against Victoria. At a bargain-basement price, Ferguson is simply too good to overlook given his preseason output. A breakout season is certainly on the cards, and so too is increased responsibility with the Sixes. After averaging just 17.86 SuperCoach points last year, Ferguson’s development has him firmly in the box seat as a must-start cheapie.

James Pattinson | BWL | $62,500
Paceman James Pattinson comes in at rock-bottom price ahead of SuperCoach BBL|08, but he doesn’t come without a warning for prospective SuperCoach coaches. Persistent back issues have hampered the right-arm quick, who has suffered no less than five back stress fractures over the past few years. The express seamer’s talent is unquestionable, but question marks remain over whether his body can hold up to the rigours of bowling 150km/hr. The Heat seems to think so, as ‘Patto’ headlines Brisbane’s BBL|08 signings, having signed on for two years. He’s been bowling well according to reports and is yet to experience any setbacks. If he’s named for the Heat, he must be considered.

Sam Heazlett | BAT | $62,500
Fresh from smashing 83 off 59 balls as an opener for the Bulls in the JLT Cup qualifying final. Sam Heazlett managed only seven games for the Heat in BBL|07, but has taken big strides since last year’s tournament, and looms as a breakout contender for SuperCoach owners in BBL|08. Prior to the JLT Cup finals, the left-hander had made a total of 227 runs in the tournament, averaging 56.75. Lock him in and throw away the keys.

Jake Lehmann | BAT | $62,500
Having recently been named captain of South Australia’s one-day side and edging out Alex Carey in the process, Jake Lehmann’s form for the Redbacks throughout the JLT Cup suggests he’s absolutely worth starting in your SuperCoach team. Lehmann took the Blues to the cleaners, hitting 87 off 97 balls, and looked on track to do the same against Victoria before being run out. All in all, Lehmann finished with a total of 225 runs, averaging 51 across his five-games and looks one of the earliest cash cows to start in your team.

Cameron Green | BWL | $42,500
Considered a bowler in SuperCoach but really more of an all-rounder who can bowl in excess of 140km/r and bat in the top six, Cameron Green is at a juicy price as he gets ready to embark on his debut season in the BBL. The problem? Well, it comes down to selection. Nathan Coulter-Nile, Jhye Richardson, Joel Paris, Jason Behrendorff and Andrew Tye are all fit and firing, with David Willey going around again. But if he is given an early debut, lock him in.

Max Bryant | BAT | $42,000
We’re tipping BBL|08 as the year that up-and-coming tonker, Max Bryant launches himself into the hearts of cricket fans across the nation. Max Bryant opened the batting for the Australian U/19 World Cup team and also got a start in the top order for the Bulls, scoring the fastest ever 50 by a Queenslander in One Day domestic cricket against the Redbacks in the JLT Cup. He finished with 71 off 32 balls, but the issue will be where Bryant fits. If Chris Lynn, Brendon McCullum and Joe Burns remain fit, it’s unlikely he’ll begin in the top three. But at that price, with his lead-up form into BBL|08, he’s worth considering.

Sam Whiteman | WKP/BAT | $62,500
After a BBL|07 season derailed by injury, the exceptionally talented Sam Whiteman is a wait-and-see prospect ahead of BBL|08, but he’s certainly worth keeping an eye on given his ability to make runs and stick catches with the gloves. Whiteman is on the return from a series of on-going finger injuries, and upon return injured his quad. Signalled as potential national selection, coach Adam Voges faces a difficult decision on who to hand the gloves to should Whiteman and Perth teammate and similarly SuperCoach-priced Josh Inglis be available.

Peter Nevill | WKP/BAT | $62,500
After being named captain of the Blues ahead of the JLT Cup series, Peter Nevill suffered a broken thumb in the nets on the eve of the tournament and was subsequently ruled out. Whilst we were unable to get a good look at the reliable gloveman in the JLT Cup, the good news is Nevill has avoided surgery and is on track to resume in the Sheffield Shield and will don the Magenta again in BBL|08. The veteran right-hander looms as a reliable SuperCoach option, who’ll play most games for the Sixes. His return of just 17.56 SuperCoach points in BBL|07 won’t excite most, but as a reliable bench option who can be subbed in during the byes, he’s well worth stashing on your bench.

Tim Ludeman | WKP/BAT | $62,500
A well-loved veteran now at 31, Tim Ludeman is like that favourite T-shirt you’ve owned for the better part of a decade that you can’t quite seem to let go of yet. After being thrown a lifeline by the Renegades coming into BBL|07, Ludeman will be back in Red in BBL|08 and serves as a worthy backup gloveman, who can also go to work with the willow for your SupeCoach team. After playing 11 games for the ‘Gades last year, Ludeman only averaged 19 points a game but looms as a good backup option to your first-choice keeper.