Watchlist: Positional rankings, trade plans, Rd 12/13

Each round of the Big Bash season I’ll reveal my current team and trade plans for the upcoming round.

To do this, I’ll provide a watchlist ranking of every position, listing the players on the edge of cracking into my squad.

I find this a great way to keep myself on track with trades and planning, so I don’t get too caught up in the hype for any player. 

Note that if the player is already in my team, they won’t be included in the watchlist rankings.

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Round 11 Update

Ecstatic to have traded in Neser this round. However, I missed a few of the other high-ceiling scores. Well done if you were on the likes of Smith/Hardie/Inglis/VC Short.

The Scorchers’ quicks also delivered for me but I don’t know if it’ll be enough to hold rank at around 300th. 

I’m running out of time to achieve my goal of top 100 but am well placed for the coming rounds, with up to 7 double game week players already for round 12 and 2 for round 13. I also have a boost in hand, which I plan to use to move Scorchers players out for their bye. 

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My Team

Wicketkeepers: Bancroft, Phillipe

Batters: M Short, Kerr, Sams, Labuschagne, Inglis, McDermott, Head

Bowlers: Tye, Behrendorff, Abbott, Ellis, Neser, Morris, Cam Green

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Updated Watchlist and Rankings

Wicketkeepers: 

1. Matthew Wade

Added: Wade

Removed: Holt

I’ve somehow gone the whole season adding/removing Holt from the watch list every second round. Turns out I never needed him. 

Inglis, Bancroft, McDermott and Wade are the remaining targets in the keeper position. I already own 3 of those. 

Inglis looks the priority if you don’t have him. His consistency has been second to none as a bat this season. I still like Bancroft but think he’s less consistent. 

McDermott is probably the priority keeper from the Hurricanes for round 13, even with the rough season he’s had to date. We know he has a massive ceiling and opening the batting is an advantage over Wade. 

If you run with Derm, then Wade will need to be assessed against other bat options for the Hurricanes. At this stage I favour their allrounders and Jewell over him. 

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Batters

1. James Bazley (bat/bowl)
2. Aaron Hardie (bat/bowl)
3. Josh Brown
4. Matthew Renshaw (bat/bowl)
5. Faheem Ashraf (bat/bowl)
6. Tim David (bat/bowl)
7. Caleb Jewell
8. Steve Smith

Bazley and Hardie will likely come in for my side this round. 

Baze has averaged nearly 60 this season, which speaks for itself. However, his scoring has been a rollercoaster, so I’d look elsewhere for captains. 

Hardie has filled the Mitch Marsh role beautifully batting at 3. He appears unlikely to bowl but there is always a slim possibility. 

Josh Brown looks an exciting player to own. He’s averaging 40 and I expect him to continue to get better with experience. 

The Heat play the Hurricanes twice and the Stars once in the final 3 rounds. Not the worst match-ups at all. 

Matt Renshaw showed his ceiling last round, jagging a handy wicket to go with his epic 90 not out. I don’t know that he’ll always have that much opportunity with the bat though, batting below the likes of Khawaja and Labuschagne. 

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I don’t think we’ve seen the best of Faheem Ashraf yet and I like his role as a bowling allrounder. Likewise Tim David is a player I’m eyeing off for the Hurricanes double. He’s found form with the bat and started bowling an over to two. Whilst he bats low for Supercoach purposes at 5, if he does come in late in the inning there’s still a high probability of a strike rate bonus. 

Caleb Jewell has been flying this season and his price will be falling from $180k after a low score this round. Just a question of risking a bat only.

Steve Smith is another expensive option and the only player on the watchlist with a double game week. I think the ship has sailed on him but jee he looks fantastic.  

Removed: Warner, Sutherland, Smith

Added: Bazley, Hardie, Brown, Renshaw, Ashraf, David, Jewell, Smith

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Bowlers

1. Spencer Johnson
2. Mitchell Swepson
3. Paddy Dooley
4. Riley Meredith
5. Tom Andrews
6. David Payne

Johnson seems to have cemented a role in the Heat lineup. He passes the eye test and will come in around $80k when lockout opens. 

Swepson is nearly bottom dollar, which is an incredible fall in price. Owners from the Heat’s earlier double May not want to go back there. However, he could be a great way to free up cash, provided you can emergency loop him.

Dooley has been a gun this season and is bowling Powerplay / Surge. Looks a must for the Canes’ double. 

Meredith has been inconsistent but can always grab a bag full. I’ll be looking to squeeze him in if I can.

Andrews could be another emergency loop option who can free up cash. 

David Payne has looked great as have all Scorchers’ quicks. I don’t think I’ll go there with rotation risk though. 

Removed: Kellapotha, Bartlett

Added: Dooley, Meredith, Payne

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Trade Thoughts 

Bazley and Hardie are the round 12 priorities for me. I’ll need to free up cash to do it, so I’ll probably need to grab Swepson or Andrews.

I then look to come home strong in round 13 with the likes of Ashraf, David, Dooley and Meredith. 

Happy trading and enjoy the finish to the season!