The BBL regular season is over but that doesn’t mean Draftstars is done, with finals around the corner. We’ve assessed some key trends from the past week, including form players and some weird value quirks.
FORM PLAYERS
Mitch Marsh (BAT|BOW $22,700) is the uber premium but he’s arguably worth it, proven by the fact that Monday’s Heat-Scorchers slate winner Datboi had the big Perth all-rounder in his side despite the lofty price tag. Marsh is in career-best form and provides points with both disciplines. He’s made 314 runs in seven BBL knocks with an average of 78.5 with the bat alone with a strike rate close to 150, while he’s also taken five wickets and bowls regularly. Fade at your peril.
Sixers paceman Ben Dwarshuis (BOW $16,900) is worth consideration for Saturday’s slate, having claimed 12 wickets in his past five games. He’s taken over the juicy death overs role in the absence of Tom Curran and Chris Jordan, with Dan Christian used less with the ball.
On the flipside, Sean Abbott’s (BOW $19,100) form has dropped off, with a three-game DS average of 24.7 way down on his season average of 67 DS points, taking only one wicket from their past three games.
Hurricanes wicketkeeper-batsman Ben McDermott (BAT $17,900) is another player with a high ceiling but he’s been feast or famine this season, with his volatility affecting his ownership. With the bat, he’s had four scores above 50 in his past nine knocks including two centuries, which always equates to massive DS points.
Adelaide’s Matt Short (BAT|BOW $19,900) missed their final regular season game with a minor quad issue but should he be available for Friday’s Eliminator, he needs to be considered given his awesome role. Short has been opening the batting and been used as their fifth bowler, getting 3-4 overs in their past five games, whilst scoring runs at a fast click.
Check out Wicky’s Stats Bible to see our score projections.
Sean Abbott’s form has dropped off, with a three-game DS average of 24.7 way down on his season average of 67 DS points, taking only one wicket from their past three games.
DOOR OPEN
On the topic of Short, if he’s not fit for Friday you need to consider Matt Renshaw (BAT $14,700) who assumed the former’s role in Monday’s game, opening the batting and sending down four overs as their fifth bowler. Renshaw doesn’t score as fast as Short but the role is prime, taking 1-38 and scoring 50 from 31 balls against the Sixers.
But, a word of caution on both Short and Renshaw, is the imminent return of Australian Test pair Travis Head (BAT) and Alex Carey (BAT) to the Strikers line-up which may change their batting line-up. Head also offers part-time spin which may take overs off Short or Renshaw.
A word of caution on Short and Renshaw is the imminent return of Test pair Travis Head and Alex Carey to the Strikers line-up which may change their batting line-up and see Head pinch some bowling overs.
Fawad Ahmed (BOW $14,300) has been another major contributor to Adelaide’s form upturn and his rise has coincided with Rashid Khan’s exit for Afghanistan ODI duty. Since Rashid left, Fawad has taken seven wickets in three games, including two 3fas, having been used as Adelaide’s chief spin bowler.
Thunder skipper Usman Khawaja (BAT $13,900) hasn’t really capitalised on anyone’s absence but his return after national duty needs attention. Khawaja is in stunning form after twin centuries on his Test recall at the SCG earlier this month, before making 77 from 51 in his return to the BBL. His price is still friendly.
Check out Wicky’s Stats Bible to see our score projections.
VALUE OPTIONS
The Strikers really have stormed home as the form team after four straight wins including beating the top two. Henry Thornton (BOW $13,500) and Ian Cockbain (BAT $9,400) have been added to the side to good effect during this run. Paceman Thornton has taken seven wickets in three games, while Cockbain has made 123 runs in three knocks. The latter may be impacted by Head and Carey’s availability. Monitor their selected XIs after the bat flip to see their batting order.
BBL TRENDS
The final six games of the BBL regular season were chaotic with many lesser likes showing up the premiums. From a Draftstars point of view, there were 12 100+ DS scores in the last six games, with players priced at $15,500 or lower scoring seven of them.
The aforementioned Cockbain (BAT $9,400) was the lowest-priced DS centurion. The others were Hayden Kerr (BOW|BAT $14,800), Cameron Boyce (BOW $15,400), Khawaja (BAT $13,900), Max Bryant (BAT $12,200), Fawad (BOW $14,300) and Renshaw (BOW $14,700).
Check out Wicky’s Stats Bible to see our score projections.
OWNERSHIP/WINNING TEAMS
Wednesday’s $20,000 Stars-Hurricanes’ BBL Draftstars slate was dominated by Glenn Maxwell (BAT|BOW $19,400) after his record-breaking century which equated to a ridiculous DS score of 289 points. Naturally, slate winner kanemck owned Maxwell in a Stars-heavy line-up, along with the other top scorers Marcus Stoinis (BAT|BOW $17,100) and Ben McDermott (BAT $17,900).
The value was found with Brody Couch (BOW $12,700) and Tom O’Connell (BOW $12,200) who scored 69 and 39 DS points with ownership of 19% and 15% respectively.
Renegades spinner Boyce (BOW $15,400) attracted 32% ownership in the $15,000 Thunder-Gades’ BBL Draftstars slate, which was decisive with 178 DS points after his double hat-trick. Slate winner Trenna99 owned Boyce along with the well-owned Khawaja (BAT $13,900) for his 108.25 DS points. Trenna99 found unique value with Jonathan Merlo (BAT|BOW $8,800) for 34.5 DS points with only 26% ownership.
Wednesday’s $15,000 Heat-Sixers’ BBL Draftstars slate winner doma05 owned the top five scorers of the slate, led by Kerr (BOW|BAT $14,800) and Daniel Hughes (BAT $12,000). Jimmy Peirson (BAT $9,200) offered point of difference value with his 75 DS points coming with only 23% ownership and he was in doma05’s line-up.
Curiously doma05’s two most expensive players, Josh Philippe (BAT $18,700) and Chris Lynn (BAT $16,500) were also his two lowest scoring players, so the lesson is it’s not all over if your premiums fail.
Serial winner Argonauts triumphed in Tuesday’s $25,000 Hurricanes-Renegades’ BBL Draftstars slate with the top four scorers in his line-up, although all four had ownership around the 31-32% mark. Argonauts got the edge by fading popular pick Ben McDermott (BAT $18,900) who only managed 3 DS points, with James Seymour (BAT $8,800) and Sandeep Lamichhane (BOW $12,600) providing value.
Marsh (BAT|BOW $22,700) held the key for Monday’s $20,000 Heat-Scorchers’ BBL Draftstars slate, with 54% coaches opting to fade him given his bumper price which didn’t pay off as he posted a 123.5 DS score. Max Bryant (BAT $12,200) was a surprise with 119.25 DS points, but Mitch Swepson (BOW $16,400) broke the slate upon his return from the Test squad with 88 DS points for only 14% ownership. Slate winner Datboi had all three.
Monday’s $15,000 Strikers-Sixers’ BBL Draftstars slate was dominated by under-priced picks led by Cockbain (BAT $9,400) with 144.5 DS points along with Fawad (BOW $14,300) who only had 19% ownership for his 118 DS points.
Slate winner jbarrett16 had both and found value with 22% owned Todd Murphy (BOW $11,100) for his 58 DS points, but the fades were key, opting against top-owned pair Abbott (BOW $18,600) and Josh Philippe (BAT $18,800) for their 4 and 22 DS scores. Going against the grain can pay.
Check out Wicky’s Stats Bible to see our score projections.
18+ Gamble Responsibly
For more articles click HERE