BBL08 CONTEST PREVIEW GAME 13: HURRICANES v SCORCHERS
“Early Scorchers wickets to fall and a late collapse by the Hurricanes is the order of the day for this side and one likely to be against the thinking of the field.”
The Re-cap
We went for spin not seam and we assumed that the batsman could, well, bat. It’s a tough enough caper this without having to select a team on pitches that offer less than 250 runs in a game, but kudos to the winner Travinator who took 5 bowlers in their lineup and dominated the $15k contest.
Likely XI’s
Hurricanes – Short, Wade, Doolan, McDermott, Bailey, Faulkner, Milenko, Botha, Archer, Rose, Meredith (Moody, Doran)
- Unchanged and settled lineup, as usual Wade will open and Doolan will be the slider should things start well.
Scorchers –Klinger, Whiteman, Bancroft, Turner, Cartwright, Agar, Willey, Coulter-Nile, Tye, Behrendorff, Richardson, (Quadir Bosisto)
- Bancroft is back for the scorchers which makes their side look much more balanced. Expect he bats #3 with Whiteman opening but again, this is the Scorchers so who knows. Doubtful Quadir plays given they have Agar and Turner to bowl spin if needed.
Selection Committee
We have got it pretty spot on so far regarding bat/ball dominance and tonight I think will be a very even contest. There will be something there for the spinners but It has been a ground where runs have come in the past. There is a lot of value in tonight’s game with some proven BBL stars having failed in the last few games. It’s value I cannot pass up.
Selection
Ashton Agar ($12,200): Too cheap tonight for mine. Very likely to get his 4 overs on this pitch and given I’m building this team around the Hurricanes striking early with ball, Agar will hopefully see 4-5 overs at the crease with the bat too. Likely to be very very low owned given he didn’t bat or bowl last game.
Ashton Turner ($10,600): Just has to come good at some stage. Too good a player not too. Will bat #4 and again, our game script is relying on early wickets from Rose and Archer which brings Turner to the crease nice and early. If Short starts to smack the seamers then Turner could find himself bowling an over or two.
D’Arcy Short ($26,200): Must-play. Forget the price tag and focus on the 93-point 3-game average. His 87.5pts last start came despite running himself out AND having a catch go down off his bowling. Taking the value elsewhere and locking in Short in a game where he could possibly go under owned given the Berehndorff/Coulter-Nile opening bowling for the Scorchers. Personally I think Short will dominate the Perth seamers tonight but it may not be a popular opinion. Could get Short in the 30’s at this price point.
Ben McDermott ($11,300): Plummets 5k in price. Has got starts in all three games just hasn’t gone on with it. Tonigh’t is hopefully the night. Likely to be very under-owned.
Jofra Archer ($15,300): Always take Archer after a stinker. It’s a BBL rule. Will be an angry, angry man tonight. Wickets and economy loom large.
Andrew Tye ($14,300): Against a team that can actually bat I really like Tye to come on late and get some wickets. Under-priced and likely to be mid thirties ownership. Thisis the perfect game for one of those stupid Tye 3/19’s.
Clive Rose ($10,000): With 10k left my options were limited so you have to think as a coach, what do we need to happen? We want early Scorchers wickets to expose Turner and Agar, which means Clive Rose is the perfect final selection. Burnt massively by the captain last game having to bowl Over 19 against two hitters. Like him for a 50+ tonight.
Final Thought
Early Scorchers wickets to fall and a late collapse by the Hurricanes is the order of the day for this side and one likely to be against the thinking of the field. Absolutely due a bit of luck here.
BBL08 Balance
Games: 12
Spend: $180
Win: $148.22
Profit: -$31.78