BBL08 CONTEST PREVIEW GAME 11: HURRICANES v THUNDER

“The most expensive redundant apostrophe in H’Istory has made my lineup tonight on the back of a solid fantasy ton last start.”

The Re-cap

Jackson Bird didn’t play (lucky because Boland’s 0/17 off 2 was so awesome!! Muppets) but the Stars game stack was on the money so hopefully you worked your combo’s and got amongst the cash – Handscomb and Coleman were both affordable from Bird’s price/ left over cash so it was hard to go wrong last night. Much trickier tonight because both teams can bat.

Likely XI’s

Hurricanes – Short, Wade, Doolan, McDermott, Bailey, Faulkner, Milenko, Botha, Archer, Rose, Meredith (Moody, Doran)

  • An unchanged 13 and very unlikely to make any changes to the starting XI. Very settled.

Thunder – Watson, Buttler, Ferguson, Root, Sangha, Sams, Green, Cook, Rainbird, McAndrew Ahmed (Sandhu, Nair)

  • Few changes possible with Arjun Nair back into the 13-man squad. Both Nair and Sandhu could come into the starting XI for different reasons. Cook/McAndrew/Nair/Sandhu fighting for two spots.

 

Selection Committee

There is no way that either side’s openers will respect the off-spin of Green or Rose so expect fireworks early whatever happens. Tonight’s team is a very specific game script that involves the Thunder top order falling to early spin from Rose/Short.

I really don’t see a lot of economy bonuses happening in this game so I’m stacking batsman (6/7) and hoping for a big 320+ runs evening. Still managed to squeeze in (potentially) 12 overs with the ball but this team is all about the runs tonight.

Selection

Ben McDermott ($16,300): I’ll never leave home without picking this guy. Is expensive and has played two pretty average games which makes me like him even more because he is (I think) the best batsman in the game tonight. Should get the exposure, plays the spinners well – he just needs a bit of luck.

Jason Sangha ($11,300): I love that he failed last game. Batting at #5 and coming off a 3pt game last start, plenty will miss on Sangha tonight. I will not be one of them. This side relies on Buttler/Watson being in the sheds inside the power play so if all goes to plan the sausage should have plenty of time to sizzle!

Callum Ferguson ($11,000): Very hard for me to overlook a class player that’s so cheap and batting #3. He has got out a few times this season so far just trying to force the issue. Hopefully someone will explain to him that is not his job. Sensing a solid return is on the cards for Fergy here.

Alex Doolan ($9,800): Averaging just 23.5pts so far this season, Doolan is in the side because of the salary squeeze my bowlers have put on. Will be very low owned and deserves to be given his dismissals, but he does field in the hot zones and if he can knock out a 20-25 run game from #3 and a catch or two, that’s a big value game at his price.

D’Arcy Short ($25,000): The most expensive redundant apostrophe in H’Istory has made my lineup tonight on the back of a solid fantasy ton last start. I may be spending a quarter of my cap on him but I’m getting an in-form opener who will bowl 2-3 overs probably during the powerplay. Expect him to be sub 35% which is pretty much auto-cash territory if he fires.

Daniel Sams ($18,100): His price tag is too expensive but he is averaging 132 fantasy pts in his two games and he kind of (but not really) fits my game script of early Thunder wickets falling. You don’t pick Sams for a 100pts, but I think a 60pt game is achievable with the potential to bust the slate open.

Clive Rose ($8,000): He is averaging just 5pts from 2 games and he is my only outright bowler and lowest owned player – but Clive has the biggest job to do from anyone in my side tonight. He has to get Buttler. Cheaply. Watson too ideally. They will look to get at him whatever the game situation is which I think puts him in the game big time as the two openers for the Thunder haven’t exactly been middling it lately. Will be single digit ownership and if he finishes even on 20pts I’ll be a happy camper.

 

Final Thought

Six top 6 batsman and 10 overs with the ball looks a pretty solid side for a game we have eyeballed as a bit of a runs fest. Come on Clivey boy!

 

BBL08 Balance

Games: 10

Spend: $150

Win: $148.22

Profit: -$1.78

 

By BBL