AUSTRALIA V SOUTH AFRICA $7,500+ CHEAT SHEET

Anyone else miss footy season? It is getting more and more difficult to watch the decline of the Australian cricket team. Remember the days of Punter, Warney, McGrath, Haydos, et al.? Of course you do! Everyone does. I think that is exactly why this is so hard to watch.

Last week I said we need to find the positives, so let us do that again.

See, there is always something to laugh about!

But let us go from there to South Africa (the team, not the country). They are pretty darn good. Their fast bowling brigade of Steyn, Rabada and Ngidi is arguably the best in the world. Steyn and Rabada have long been stars but Lungi Ngidi is just arriving. He made an indelible mark on international cricket in the first ODI. Also, Quinton de Kock is a superstar with the bat and the gloves and Andile Phehlukwayo takes wickets for fun. They are very darn good.

Outside of the visitors, Marcus Stoinis and Alex Carey offered something in Perth and you just know what you are going to get from Pat Cummins. The man is a stud. Anything else? Hmmā€¦ I suppose there something else, I donā€™t think it can get any worse (hopefully Iā€™m not speaking too soon).

A final positive, the $7,500+ contest Draftstars is putting on for the second ODI. The prize pool offers just over $850 to first place, $639 to second and $383 to third. Juicy! If you had a crack in the first contest and failed, worry not, Australia did the same. But they will be buttering up in the second match and going again. Log on to Draftstars and do the same!

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Here is a team you may consider for the ODI Australia v South Africa $7,500+ competition

Batsman

Quinton de Kock ($21,000)

de Kock is the best cricketer playing in this match, bar none. He consistently gets the South Africans off to a great start in the ODI format and an average of over 45 proves it. He made his way to 47 in the first match without too much trouble and took three catches. This was good enough for 88.8 DS points, the second most in the match, and it is easy to see him going much better, especially if he gets to bat first.

Aiden Markram ($14,200)

Similarly to de Kock, Markram had no real trouble in Perth making his way to 36 runs, striking at 112.5. Perfect for the scoring format of this contest. Could have easily gone on to a bigger score but did more than enough to ensure a comfortable South African victory despite an unneeded wicket at the top of the order. He looks suited to Australian pitches and it would not be surprising if he makes a big score in Adelaide.

Alex Carey ($12,000)

Carey was one of the shining lights in the demoralising loss in Perth. He offered something with the bat, which was more than could be said for many of his teammates, and he dug in to face 71 balls. The fact he is a wicketkeeper increases his value and he should be the first part of a few wickets in the second ODI.

Shaun Marsh ($11,300)

However maligned he is, Marsh has proven time and again he is capable of getting the job done and he always seems to thrive when all looks lost. He has an ODI average over almost 40, has made 100 in two of his last four innings and can genuinely dig in. Yes, he is returning from a ā€œbuttock abscessā€ but, fortunately, you donā€™t hit a cricket ball with your backside. At $11,300, Marsh is a steal.

Bowler

Travis Head ($15,300)

Continuing the theme of ā€œit canā€™t get any worseā€, Travis Head is destined for a big game. He had a nightmare in Perth making just one run and not being involved in the match in any way. But, he has proven his class at ODI level, notching up half-centuries in the three matches prior to Perth, and averages almost 36. Consider as well he is back on home turf, the same home turf on which he smashed an incredible 53 ball ton in 2015.

Pat Cummins ($13,800)

Pat Cummins is a real persons person. Despite not taking a wicket in the first ODI, he managed to (somewhat) get into the game with 12 runs and two maidens. That was good enough for 55 DS points and the seventh best score. 64 wickets at 28 indicates he is probably due after missing out in Perth. Back him in.

Kagiso Rabada ($12,000)

As I mentioned last week, Rabada is the top ranked South African ODI bowler. And to be frank, he was probably the most underwhelming South African performer in the first ODI, such are his lofty standards. As with Pat Cummins, a great strike rate of 27 means he will almost definitely take a few wickets in Adelaide. Heā€™s a true competitor too, and will want to knock over a few castles and make his mark on the series. $12,000 is an absolute steal.

 

Written by Brin Duggan

The Line Up

BAT: Quinton de Kock ($21,000)

BAT: Aiden Markram ($14,200)

BAT: Alex Carey ($12,000)

BAT: Shaun Marsh ($11,300)

BOWL: Travis Head ($15,300)

BOWL: Pat Cummins ($13,800)

BOWL: Kagiso Rabada ($12,000)

Salary Remaining: $400

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CRICKET SCORING SYSTEM

BATTING

Run Scored = 1 point
Six Hit = 4 points
Duck = -10 points
50 Run Bonus = 10 points
100 Run Bonus = 30 points
Strike Rate Bonus >=100% to <=120%1 Run = 0.25 points
Strike Rate Bonus >120%1 Run = 0.50 points

BOWLING

Wicket = 20 points
Maiden Over = 4 points
Wide / No Ball = -1 point
3 Wicket Bonus = 10 points
5 Wicket Bonus = 30 points
Economy Rate Bonus <=3.0 Each Ball = 1 point
Economy Rate Bonus >3.0 to <=4.0 Each Ball = 0.5 points

FIELDING

Catch = 10 points
Runout = 10 points
Stumped by Keeper = 10 points
Note: Points will only be awarded to a player for the highest run and wicket bonus category achieved.

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