There’s an influx of Ashes talent into the BBL for the Wednesday’s triple-header slate so we’ve provided a BBL Draftstars preview to help you work your way through the best options to pick and fade.
Check out Wicky’s Stats Bible to see our score projections.
LAST GAME LEARNINGS
The Brisbane Heat were humbled by the Perth Scorchers on Monday, even with Test squad members Mitch Swepson (BOW $15,300) and Michael Neser (BAT|BOW $14,000) back in the fold.
Cheapie Sam Heazlett (BAT $9,600) was owned by 50% on Monday but only delivered 20 DS points, while Max Bryant (BAT $14,100) provided great value for his 37% ownership base with a season-high score of 119.25 DS points. Premium quick Mark Steketee (BOW $16,000) disappointed with a -1 DS score. Chris Lynn (BAT $16,500) continued to struggle with a DS score of 7.
The Sydney Sixers were also brushed aside on Monday, going down to the Adelaide Strikers with premiums Sean Abbott (BOW $19,100), Josh Philippe (BAT $18,700), Moises Henriques (BAT $16,900) and Dan Christian (BAT|BOW $17,100) all disappointing with DS scores of 4, 22, 17 and 24 respectively.
Justin Avendano (BAT $9,400) had a breakout knock for his 4% ownership base with 98 DS points, while Todd Murphy (BOW $12,500) was also a surprise performer with 58 DS points. Both may not hold their spots though, with Jordan Silk (BAT $11,100), Nathan Lyon (BOW $13,700) and Steve O’Keefe (BOW $14,700) in the mix to play.
Justin Avendano and Todd Murphy had breakout games but may not hold their spots, with Jordan Silk, Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe in the mix to play.
The Sydney Thunder were last in action in a loss to the Sixers on Saturday, with Chris Green (BOW $14,400) breaking the slate with 97 DS points for his 13% ownership. He had missed a few games after being a close contact to a confirmed COVID-19 case, hence his low ownership but it’s worth noting the majority of his points came from a late cameo with the bat which won’t happen often.
Alex Hales’ (BAT $17,600) hot form dropped off with a DS score of 23 points, while premium all-rounder Daniel Sams (BAT|BOW $20,600) failed to deliver for his 37% ownership with only 49 DS points.
The Melbourne Renegades, who are out of finals contention, were beaten by the Hobart Hurricanes on Tuesday, but veterans Aaron Finch (BAT $17,900) and Shaun Marsh (BAT $18,300) both scored well with 111.75 and 85.75 DS points. With several bats absent, James Seymour (BAT $9,800) was elevated to open and was a popular pick with 49% ownership for 56 DS points.
The Melbourne Stars enjoyed a comprehensive win over the Heat in their last outing, with Glenn Maxwell (BAT|BOW $19,400) shining with the bat and the ball for his 135 DS points. It’s worth noting he bowled four overs and opened the batting which is the best role possible.
Marcus Stoinis (BAT|BOW $17,100) marked a return to form with a late cameo for 49.5 DS points, while Joe Clarke (BAT $17,800) underlined his premium status with 105 DS points.
The Hurricanes didn’t actually have many big scorers in their win over the Gades, with Ben McDermott’s (BAT $17,900) feast or famine season continuing with only 3 DS points for his 61% owners.
Tim David (BAT|BOW $14,200) offered value with 97 DS points after a blazing cameo with the bat, while Tom Rogers (BOW $15,200) sparkled at the death with the ball for his 70 DS points.
Check out the Draftstars triple-header slates.
INJURIES
The Heat cannot make the finals so subsequently may be unpredictable at the selection table, making it tough for this BBL Draftstars preview. But the big news is the one-off return of Marnus Labuschagne (BAT $20,100) after the Ashes series, having dominated the BBL late last season.
Silk (BAT $11,100) is “day-to-day” after a hamstring strain for the Sixers, while veteran O’Keefe (BOW $14,700) missed last game in Adelaide although that seemed to be a rest, so he’s in contention to return, along with Lyon (BOW $13,700) after Ashes duty.
The Thunder will be without Pakistani speedster Mohammad Hasnain (BOW $15,400) who has returned to his homeland for the PSL, while Usman Khawaja (BAT $13,900) has made himself available after the Ashes too.
The Renegades are another side out of finals contention thus the changes have already begun, which has created some value options to consider.
The Renegades are another side out of finals contention thus the changes have already begun with Kane Richardson (BOW $18,300) returning to Adelaide to spend time with family, while Nic Maddinson (BAT $15,600) is out with a hamstring injury. Jake Fraser-McGurk (BAT $9,300) and Mackenzie Harvey (BAT $10,600) are out with COVID-19 too. That’s created some value options to consider.
Hobart’s win on Tuesday means the Stars officially cannot make the finals, so they may experiment.
The Hurricanes, having locked in a top five spot, may also opt to rest players, with Riley Meredith (BOW $16,100) a big injury flag given his history and the fact Scott Boland (BOW $15,100) is available after the Ashes. Nathan Ellis (BOW $16,000) and Joel Paris (BOW $14,900) are not in the squad due to injuries.
Check out Wicky’s Stats Bible to see our score projections.
BBL DRAFTSTARS VALUE PLAYS
Heat skipper Jimmy Peirson (BAT $9,200) has also some value lately, scoring 60.5 DS points at $9,200 on Monday, so he needs to be considered. He has a tough middle-order role but the Heat have tended to lose plenty of wickets. Perhaps Labuschagne (BAT $20,100) shores them up?
As mentioned, Avendano (BAT $9,400) and Murphy (BOW $12,500) offered value last time out but may lose their spots, so monitor that one. In saying that, it’s hard to see a repeat performance anyway. Avendano potentially claims Jack Edwards’ (BAT $10,400) opening spot, but one of those two will get a gig, so there’s some value in that role.
Thunder skipper Khawaja (BAT $13,900) looks generously priced given his pedigree in the BBL and recent form, albeit with the red ball. He’ll be brimming with confidence. Nathan McAndrew (BOW $12,400) looks a handy value pick too.
Thunder skipper Khawaja (BAT $13,900) looks generously priced given his pedigree in the BBL and recent form, albeit with the red ball. He’ll be brimming with confidence
The Gades’ selection chaos means Ashes opener Marcus Harris (BAT $8,800) could be available at cut price in a prime role. If not, Seymour (BAT $9,800) should hold his spot at the top after a barnstorming but brief innings.
Ahmad Daniyal (BOW $8,800) should get another game and has had a handy role, bowling four overs including in the surge or at the death. He’s worth a punt. All-rounder Beau Webster (BAT|BOW $10,900) has also had a neat role lately, while keep an eye on selection with the Stars out of finals contention, they may pull a surprise or two.
There’s not much genuine value on offer from the Canes but Caleb Jewell (BAT $13,000) is attractive if he opens the batting again. Scott Boland (BOW $15,100) seems under-priced given his Ashes heroics too.
Check out the Draftstars triple-header slates.
BBL DRAFTSTARS PREMIUMS
Labuschagne’s (BAT $20,100) return for the Heat is tempting, even if there’s no T20 form guide on him. His performances late last season were nothing short of spectacular, when he possessed a perfect role, opening the batting and getting bowling overs.
A few premos are out of the Thunder-Gades slate but Sams (BAT|BOW $20,600) has the dream role and should feast on a depleted opponent with little to play for. All in on Sams.
The Stars may be out of contention, but we like Maxwell (BAT|BOW $19,400) who plays his 100th game on Wednesday and is full of pride. His role last game was juicy too. Can McDermott (BAT $17,900) bounce back after his lean score on Tuesday? MCG’s wide expanses may test him.
Check out Wicky’s Stats Bible to see our score projections.
BBL DRAFTSTARS FADES
If Lynn (BAT $16,500) is still in the premium category, he’s definitely a fade. We also expect the Sixers’ premiums to bounce back after a dire display against the Strikers, so it’s hard to pick one or two for the BBL Draftstars preview to leave out. Russian roulette!
Veteran Gades batsman Finch (BAT $17,900) hasn’t backed up overly well physically throughout the BBL and we’re fading him on back-to-back games.
We’re not convinced that Stoinis (BAT|BOW $17,100) is back yet, with his late runs on Sunday coming without much pressure nor his best timing. He’s still not bowling either.
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