BBL08 GAME 37: STRIKERS V HURRICANES
For the first time this season the salary cap is biting hard – do you take Short or Khan tonight??
The Re-cap
Can’t catch, can’t bat. The Heat failed us against last night after anticipating they would attempt to put in even a semblance of effort to save their big bash season. These collapses are amazing for teams that have stacks a bowling unit but when you go balance and the game blows out it’s all over. Hopefully having two top teams tonight will allow us to select with some relative safety.
Likely XI’s
Game 37: Strikers v Hurricanes @ Adelaide Oval
Strikers – Carey, Weatherald, Ingram, Short, Wells, Valente, Neser, Khan, Laughlin, O’Connor, Stanlake(Cormack, Lehman)
- Expect that Valente comes in along with Carey and Stanlake returning. Just gives their side much better balance and a genuine medium pace option. O’Connor/Cormack are fighting for a spot.
Hurricanes – Short, Wade, Jewel, McDermott, Bailey, Milenko, Faulkner, Botha, Archer, Rose Meredith (Doolan, Moody)
- Great batting deck but there is always something for the spinners here so expect Rose to return for Moody whose inclusion last-start was more likely due to the Perth wicket than anything else. After smashing 4 6’s Jewel should hold his place no problems.
Selection Committee
For the first time this season the salary cap is biting hard. Coaches will need to not just nail the game script but also general value. The first thing that becomes abundantly clear is that no one can take Short and Khan in the same team. You are either building around Short dominating or Khan knocking him over (or both failing). For me the choice is Rashid Khan who is my only bowler tonight.
Selection
Jake Weatherald ($15,000): Just a little too cheap compared to Carey and I want some exposure to the Strikers top order where I think the bulk of the runs will come from. Always needs some luck early but if he gets it you can lock him in for a 50+ value game.
Colin Ingram ($13,900): Whether he bats #3 or #4 doesn’t matter to us tonight because we also have Short. Can play a rebuild or a smash-from-start role and I just feel that the Hurricanes don’t have that many wickets in them tonight on what should be a great deck in Adelaide. If Wells comes in with less than 5 overs to go we are very happy.
Ben McDermott ($13,300): Have picked him in every game this season so I won’t be jumping off now (unlike Archer who made the Never Again List last start). Should bat #4 which is where we have pinpointed the Hurricanes starting a rebuild after 2-3 early wickets falling. The price tag is what appeals most about Maca tonight. Should be very highly owned because of it unfortunately.
George Bailey ($16,900): I don’t like paying this kind of coin for a third drop but for Bailey I’ll make an exception. Bailey is in red hot form and because we have highlighted early wickets falling for the Hurricanes he kind of has to go in. Very likely to be sub 15% given his price tag and batting position.
Simon Milenko ($8,000): Flat minimum for a top 6 bat in a team where we are hoping for early wickets to fall, not only does Milenko save us money but he will be the ultimate POD tonight and even a 20-30pt game could make a huge difference. Is also a great saver for a team with Bailey and McDermott in it.
Matthew Short ($10,900): Has been very down on form / very unlucky in a few games recently but he is the right price and batting in the top 4 in a game where we have identified runs will be scored by the Strikers top order. Again he is likely to be highly owned tonight despite his poor recent form but hopefully that scares a few away.
Rashid Khan ($22,300): The only bowler tonight. Really hoping he takes a couple of those early Hurricanes wickets and is not seen until then end of the innings so our Hurricane middle order can farm/smash the seamers.
Final Thoughts
If Short and Wade start really well and bat for even 6 overs together this team will struggle, but I expect the Strikers to bat first and set a solid enough total where Wade and Short have to take risks early and will not be able to simply see Khan off. Jewel coming in at #3 would never have faced Khan so hopefully if the game goes to script our Striker batsman fill up on runs and then Khan takes out who we need him to, when we need him to.
BBL08 Balance
Games: 35
Spend: $540
Win: $541.48
Profit: +$1.48