POD Hunter: Unique players to find an edge, Rd 10

And just like that the last double game week is upon us!

Most SuperCoaches probably have players in mind as part of their trade plans. However, there are still a few things to consider when looking at lower ownership players.  

From the Stars, another low score from Harris Rauf (0.4% owned) will make him far more affordable this round. As per last round’s article, Rauf was spectacular last season, claiming 20 wickets in 10 innings, with a scalp every 11.4 balls at an E/R a tick over 7.

He’s been far less effective in his two matches this season, although one of the games was rain-affected. We know how explosive Rauf can be, so perhaps he’s worth a punt?

PRICE DROP! Sign up to SC Playbook for our premium SuperCoach Big Bash content for extra articles every round, including our subscriber special QnA podcasts.

Embed from Getty Images

Nick Larkin (1.2% owned) is batting at three for the Stars and is still at low ownership. He managed 38 points last round, thanks to 18 runs and two catches.

Larkin looked to me to struggle against Rashid Khan, who eventually cleaned him up. The Stars face the Strikers again this round, along with the Renegades.

Luckily Khan has travelled home so Larkin won’t need to contend with him. In addition, the Renegades have struggled with both bat and ball this season so a big score for Larkin could be on the cards in that match.  

The Spiceman, Andre Fletcher (5.7% owned), could be on track to burn owners for the second time this season!

The Spiceman was out for another low score last round, resulting in 12 SuperCoach points. It has to turn around at some point for the West Indies’ opening batsman, doesn’t it?

Perhaps the POD with the highest upside this round is Nathan Coulter-Nile (9% owned), provided he returns from injury.

Embed from Getty Images

NCN showed what he’s capable of at the start of the season with a 169-point score vs the Heat.

He has a track record of going massive, with a 140-point score vs the Renegades last season and 4 x 100+ scores the season before that.

Place a big watch on NCN’s injury status coming into this round. My concern is that the Stars could be cautious and hold him back from a quick turnaround. The Stars play on Friday night, then again on Sunday night.

Sam Rainbird (1.9% owned) has been handy with the ball for the Stars. He should still be around $100k coming into this round. He may have to compete with Liam Hatcher and Billy Stanlake for his position once NCN comes back though.

I think that’s about all the PODs I’m interested in from the Stars. Moving onto the Scorchers.  

Jason Behrendorff (4.5% owned) was my POD pick from the Scorchers last round. However, I became a little hesitant when Thommo highlighted Behrendorff hasn’t regularly been bowling a full allotment of four overs. I think there’s a fair chance this will change with Mitch Marsh now unlikely to bowl.

Embed from Getty Images

We should still be able to get Behrendorff for around $120k. I think I’ll finally get him in after talking about it all season!

Well done to anyone who brought in Jason Roy (4.6% owned) and/or Liam Livingstone (5.2% owned) for their big opening stand last round. Roy has been the more in-form of these two but will cost you about $50k more.

I prefer Livingstone as the better value option, especially now that he has a half-century to his name.

There’s also a chance that Livingstone might occasionally roll his arm over if the pitch is spin-friendly.

This is worth noting, as the Scorchers play away from their pacey home deck the coming round.

Ashton Turner completed the remainder of Mitch Marsh’s injury-affected overs last round.

I’m not sure how much we can read into this. To me it’s just a wild guess as to whether either Livingstone or Turner will get any part-time spin overs.

Speaking of spin, Fawad Ahmed (5.1% owned) returned a very tidy 1-24 from four overs last round. He’s another player who can go big, with two x 120+ scores last season.

Watch live international cricket, soccer and EVERY game of the NBA season through Bet365, along with over 200,000 sporting events each year and the best odds in sport and racing, including fantasy sport betting!

At a similar price and ownership, I probably prefer Ahmed to Livingstone. I think Ahmed will bowl his full allotment and I’d rather have a bowler who does this, than a batsman who has a risk of nicking off early.

Aaron Hardie (8.5% owned) is also still reasonably low ownership. He’ll hopefully get 3+ overs with M Marsh unlikely to bowl.

Hardie has had limited opportunities with bat and ball this season but nabbed two wickets last round. He looks a decent sub $100k option.

It’s hard to go past DGW options this round but if you wanted to go very left-field I’d suggest Jack Prestwidge (3.6% owned).

Prestwidge is an express pace bowler and strong ball-striker. He’s looked good for the Renegades. Snaring two wickets and batting at five in round 8.

Embed from Getty Images

Verdict

I like the Scorchers’ bowlers as the best PODs for this round. I could see myself bringing in both Ahmed and Behrendorff.

Liam Livingstone is my pick of the Scorchers’ batsman (although I prefer Ahmed and Behrendorff). SuperCoaches may even get lucky with a few overs.

I’m less interested in Stars players, although Larkin and the Spiceman could offer value. Hardie probably still offers better value than both batting at seven and hopefully picking up a few additional overs.

Play for monster jackpots with Draftstars Big Bash – it’s fantasy sport betting for as little as 50c per contest!

I’ll be tempted by Rauf this round. However, I think I’ll find it hard to get him in in favour of the cheaper Scorchers bowlers.

I think NCN is a high risk, high reward play if he gets named. He could be worth a punt if you’re looking to make up ground.

Sadly, the holiday season is now fading for many of us. However, we still have BBL on every night! Enjoy and good luck for round 10.