Final Word: Skippers, tactics, weather


<p>It all comes down to this, SuperCoach Big Bash grand final week!</p>



<p>A new overall champion will be crowned by the end of Saturday night’s BBL decider between the Sydney Sixers and Perth Scorchers.</p>



<p>The race to claim the SC Playbook unlimited group glory will also end, with ‘Triforce’ coached by Marco (3<sup>rd</sup> overall) leading the way ahead of ‘bbb bird bird bird’ coached by Tyronne (7<sup>th</sup> overall) and ‘Clever Pun TBA’ (10<sup>th</sup> overall).</p>



<p>The group has six teams in the top 20 which is an outstanding result, so well done to all.</p>



<p><strong><em>Support the site by donating at the link below.</em></strong></p>


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<p>It’ll be an exciting finish to see who claims the big subscriber and non-subscriber end-of-season prizes.</p>



<p>The Cooma Stallions won’t be triumphing this season, although I could’ve been far higher had I followed my own advice from last round’s article.</p>



<p>I called the anti-POD of Jhye Richardson and skipper of Liam Livingstone but did neither, ah well, that’s SuperCoach!</p>



<p>Hopefully somebody out there jumped on board with the plays.</p>



<p>A late move to replace the injured Jason Roy with Cam Bancroft paid dividends, however the benching of Mitch Marsh and Fawad Ahmed did not.</p>



<p>I managed 418 points to drop a few spots to 948<sup>th</sup> overall.</p>



<p>Let’s take a look at Round 17, with wet weather looking likely to impact the grand final.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>WEATHER WATCH</strong></h2>



<p>All weather is courtesy of the Bureau of Meteorology as of Friday, 4pm. All times are in AEDT. Forecasts are subject to change.</p>



<p><strong>SATURDAY</strong></p>



<p>7.40PM: Sixers v Scorchers, SCG, Sydney.</p>



<p>Forecast: Shower or two, possible storm, 27 degrees, 70% chance of 2-8mm of rain.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SUPER PODS</strong></h2>



<p>In the Final Word, we’ll look at the super POD options (point of difference), the players at under 5% ownership (or around about) that could send you soaring (or falling) up the overall ranks.</p>



<p>They come with big risk, but the reward is immense if it comes off.</p>



<p>The super PODs/anti PODs have been in form over the last few rounds.</p>



<p>In last round’s article, Joe Denly flopped with 14 points, while the anti-POD of Jhye Richardson delivered with the star quick scoring just 6 points!</p>



<p>Super PODs by definition will once again be harder to find this round due to only two teams playing, but we’ll keep it at as low-ownership as possible.</p>



<p>As such, I’m throwing in another anti-POD option alongside my super POD.</p>



<p>I won’t go on current ownership, because they’ll change dramatically come game time, I’ll predict the guys that are likely to remain at relatively low ownership for the round which is going to be difficult.</p>



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<p><strong>Steve O’Keefe</strong></p>



<p>With very little cricket played on the SCG of late it’s hard to get a gauge on how the track will play, but traditionally it’s offered some assistance for spinners.</p>



<p>SOK is averaging an okay 43.6 points this season, with two tons to his name in a show of his upside.</p>



<p>He’ll be an integral piece of the Sixers attack as the frontline spinner, so I’m hoping he can deliver.</p>



<p>He’s had a few relatively poor scoring weeks, so with some luck it’ll keep potential owners away from him.</p>



<p>He’s taken 15 wickets in 13 games with an impressive economy of 6.97.</p>



<p>Having played on plenty of batsmen friendly pitches that’s a pretty decent return.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>ANTI-PODS</strong></h2>



<p>I think it’ll be a huge play to leave Josh Philippe out of your side and opt for Josh Inglis at wicket-keeper.</p>



<p>On a deck that will hopefully offer a bit I don’t think leaving out the likes of Jhye Richardson or Sean Abbott will be the play this round.</p>



<p>If there is some life in the deck it may just lead to the early scalp of Philippe.</p>



<p>He’s scored 499 runs this season at 33.26 in what’s been another very strong tournament.</p>



<p>However, his scores of 45, 84 and 64 all came at Manuka Oval which is a batsmen’s paradise.</p>



<p>Yes there’s risk in the move, but there is in every anti-POD play.</p>



<p>He’ll be owned by just about everyone this round, so it would be a monster play if he was dismissed for under 20 and Inglis was able to notch a decent score.</p>



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<h2 class="wp-block-heading"><strong>SKIPPERS</strong></h2>



<p>There’s plenty of strong options in this game which will hopefully lead to relatively diverse selections across the board.</p>



<p>The man that takes my eye is Sean Abbott who has been exceptional since returning from Australian duties.</p>



<p>He slugged away at Manuka last game for the sole wicket, and he took two wickets in each game prior.</p>



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<p>He’s bowling key overs, is back on his home ground and is always a chance at a batting cameo if the top-order struggle.</p>



<p>He averaged 85.3 last season with four tons in seven games which is remarkable scoring.</p>



<p>I’ll likely opt for him, but I think Richardson is a great pick following a few tough rounds at Manuka Oval that will scare plenty of people off, but it really shouldn’t.</p>



<p>Good luck to everyone in the final round of the year, especially the SC Playbook unlimited group members fighting for the overall crown!</p>


Final Word: Skippers, tactics, weather, RD 17

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