BBL08 SEMI FINAL #1: HURRICANES V STARS
The best thing about this contest is it is super hard to have both Short and Stoinis. Most coaches will have to pick just one that single selection will likely govern majority of your selections tonight
Finals Time
Maxwell finally delivered to secure the Stars a place in the finals but the task is much harder here against the best team in the comp in the Hurricanes. On their home deck no less. It’s a tough task and one only the Strikers have been able to accomplish this season and let’s face it, the Hurricanes were in cruise control for that clash.
For the Hurricanes part, they have been a team that can choke under pressure in previous seasons but this season I just see confidence and ability. Last time these two sides met the Hurricanes were dominant and I expect that little will change tonight, Canes should win this and win well.
Likely XI’s
Game 57: Hurricanes v Stars @ Bellerive Oval, Hobart
Hurricanes – Short, Wade, Jewel, McDermott, Bailey, Milenko, Faulkner, Archer, Ahmed, Rose, Meredith, (Doolan,Moody)
- Moody the unlucky one with James Faulkner returning and slotting straight into #7. Will open the bowling and cause Dunk and Stoinis plenty of problems. Rose will likely be carried into the game with Short able to bowl some of his overs if he starts getting smacked.
Stars – Dunk, Stoinis, Handscomb, Maxwell, Maddinson, Gotch, Bravo, Zampa, Bird, Worrall, Lamichane, (Gulbis, Larkin)
- Likely to stick with the same team that thumped the Sixers on Sunday. Dan Worrall would be the man most likely to miss if the Stars want to go in batsman-heavy. With Maxwell, Stoinis and Bravo all bonafide all-rounders the Stars can afford to carry an extra batsman and take just three recognized bowlers in so watch final teams to see if Larkin or Gulbis get into the XI.
Selection Committee
The best thing about this contest is it is super hard to have both Short and Stoinis. Most coaches will have to pick just one that single selection will likely govern majority of your selections tonight. I’m taking Short and executing a very bold Hurricanes stack hoping for a huge game from the redundant a’postrophe. There will ne no more fired up player than James Faulkner. The former Star would love nothing more than to take a few wickets and/or hit the winning runs tonight.
Team
D’Arcy Short ($23,200): With Maxy, Wade, Stoinis and the two international spinners all so expensive, Short is a high chance to be around 35% owned tonight, possibly a little lower with recency bias floating towards the Stars in their dominant win on Sunday. All the more reason to jump on Short. With no Botha he is guaranteed at least 2 overs, possibly 4 and he will open the batting against two seamers in Bird and Worrall who he will relish. Big risk but if he fires, the positive correlation will flow throughout this lineup.
James Faulkner ($13,600): There will ne no more fired up player than James Faulkner. The former Star would love nothing more than to take a few wickets and/or hit the winning runs tonight. Opens the bowling and whilst this side is built around him not needing to bat, he does provide a small amount of safety on that front and will be elevated if the need for quick runs arises. Will be pretty chalky though which is a downside but I’m taking 16+ overs of Hurricanes bowling so Faulkner goes in.
Nic Maddinson ($9,800): The ultimate POD tonight, Maddinson should be around 15% owned so if he fires he can take this team to the top. By ‘fires’ I mean gets nice little 20-30. We have set up for early Stars wickets to fall so taking a middle/lower order bat for them makes sense. He also fields in the hot zones so you can add a catch or two, will be a big night for this team if Maddinson can get me a 50pter.
Caleb Jewel ($9,500): His low price tag and his batting position make him super chalky tonight given all the studs people need to pay up for, but he also fits this Canes stack getting some extra exposure to the Hobart top order so I’m ok with it. Not expecting much at all though.
Jofra Archer ($15,300): Cometh the final cometh the Jofra. Hurricanes have carried him all season so it would be fitting for him to fire tonight. Likely to be pretty under-owned too which appeals to me.
Riley Meredith ($11,000): Expect Meredith to bowl first change tonight which appeals to me given we have selected for Faulks and Archer to make early inroads. New batsmen coming in and facing Meredith bowling first change at 150 clicks may find it very difficult to score and once he gets that first economical over, Meredith just changes into a really devastating dfs bowler. He is rocks or diamonds and likely to be pretty highly owned but he goes in on best form.
Qais Ahmed ($16,500): The Hurricanes news spinner looks the real deal. 8 overs so far for 4/56 (7 runs per over). He will be hard to get away tonight especially if they need to score off him. If he gets access to the middle/lower order he could have a really big night.
Final Thoughts
Short of Clive Rose taking a big bag or the Stars not losing too many wickets, this team is set up to take in 160-200pts in wickets before any economy is factored in. Add Short’s monster innings with the bat and hopefully some contributions from Maddinson and Jewel and there is an avenue to glory tonight for the Content VII in this semi-final.
BBL08 Balance
Games: 54
Spend: $810
Win: $760.08
Profit: -$49.92