BBL08 GAME 34: SCORCHERS V HURRICANES
In any game where I can get 20 overs from the same side, that’s just very hard to get away from.
The Re-cap
We were travelling nicely before the lights went out (literally) at the Gabba last night. Money back is not the worst result though. Onto tonight’s game where the Hurricanes meet the Scorchers on a Perth deck that has been tricky for coaches to predict.
Likely XI’s
Game 34: Scorchers v Hurricanes @ Optus Oval (Perth)
Scorchers –Klinger, Bancroft, Whiteman, Turner, Cartwright, Agar, Willey, Coulter-Nile, Tye, Kelly, Quadir, (Hardie, Hobson)
- Agar expected to slot straight back into that middle order that bats according to whatever dice roll coach Voges comes up with on the day. If Willey swings it early then Agar and Quadir could share 4 overs – Tye the only Scorcher locked into 4 overs tonight.
Hurricanes – Short, Wade, Doolan, McDermott, Bailey, Milenko, Faulkner, Botha, Archer, Rose, Meredith (Jewel, Moody)
- Doolan should return to the team in what is a big game for the Canes. A win can basically guarantee them finals.
Selection Committee
There is plenty of class in this game which makes a team-stack very difficult but any game where I can get 20 overs from the same side it’s just very hard to get away from. If Short fires then this team is a very solid chance of cashing and if Short fires AND the Scorchers are bowled out or get less than say 140 runs, then we’re right up the top of that leaderboard.
Selection
Hilton Cartwright ($8,700): If you think the Scorchers will loose early wickets then Cartwright is a must-play. He is insanely cheap so he only need a 30pt game to clear value which he can get in 3 overs. Always fields in the good zones so you can usually bank 10pts for a catch as well. Carty is out only Scorcher tonight so hopefully it goes to plan and he gets 7+ overs at the crease at great ownership.
D’Arcy Short ($A bajillion): His price tag tonight is as redundant as the apostrophe in his name, all that you need to ask yourself is ‘will Short still be there after 6 overs?’. If the answer is yes then he goes straight in. The way we are building this team the Scorchers have either been scuttled early in which case Short can take his time, or Short has gone nuts in which case there is run-rate pressure on Perth. I think a solid 40-50 runs from Short tonight is a good breakeven, he should enjoy this pitch and the early pace on the ball.
James Faulkner ($12,900): The first of five Hurricanes bowlers as we attempt to form Voltron with our Hobart bowling unit, Faulkner may actually generate a little more pace tonight which along with some early swing could net him an early wicket and keep his economy down which is crucial to our overall plans.
Johan Botha ($15,800): If we weren’t Canes stacking the bowlers Botha probably wouldn’t get a look in tonight but we are, so he does. It’s all about positive correlation for this team tonight. If Faulks and Archer keep it tight and take a few early, then Botha is bowling to batsmen under pressure and/or looking to take some risks against him.
Jofra Archer ($12,700): So much of our plans hinge on Archer’s first two overs tonight. If he hits the right length and can dislodge Bancroft then it’s game on, but if he over pitches on this Perth wicket we are going to be pushing it uphill to drag back that collective run rate and take wickets. Great price for his best though, lets hope he brings it at sub 30% ownership!
Clive Rose ($10,100): Clive could be under 8% tonight. He is cheap enough to carry a fail but if he gets a wicket and bowls economically he could be the difference along with Cartwright that takes us right to the pointy end.
Riley Meredith ($14,100): Cannot wait to see this kid bowl on this zippy Perth wicket. Best of luck to anyone who tries to front foot (or back foot for that matter) pull his short balls tonight. Assuming Faulkner can catch them there should be a few balls spooned to that shortish square leg fielder they like having for Meredith.
Final Thought
This is a very unique lineup. Not many will go into Perth with no Scorchers bowlers but the good thing about this lineup is we only really need two things to work for us – A low Perth total and Short to make runs. If those two happen this team will cash. Not every Hurricanes bowler will take wickets, but by taking them all we are guaranteeing that we get every Perth wicket so if they get bowled out that’s 200pts before any economy whatsoever. 2-3 of the bowling unit grab some economy that’s 300pts. Add Short’s batting and hopefully a nice little knock from Carty and 400+ is well and truly there for this team.
BBL08 Balance
Games: 33
Spend: $495
Win: $541.48
Profit: +$46.48