POD Hunter: Low-ownership picks, run home

• FINAL WORD: Trades, tactics, skippers to target in Round 11
• SC PLAYBOOK PODCAST: Every team analysed for the run home

I thought it would be timely to provide an updated top 10 PODs list after nearly half the players I named in my previous article were ruled unavailable for various reasons! So here goes.

1. Marnus Labuschagne (8.5% owned, $77.5k)

Moves to number 1 on my list following his role with the Heat. He’s opening the batting and bowling a few handy overs too. He won’t be a POD for long if that continues.

His career T20 stats aren’t spectacular due to limited opportunities. He may also drop down to the middle order at some stage. However, his immense talent at a value price makes trading him in worth that minor risk in my opinion.

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2. Nathan Coulter-Nile (8.8% owned, $197.4k)

NCN has regularly been given opportunities as a pinch-hitter for the Stars at the top of the order in recent seasons. Unfortunately, his cameo ended after one ball last round.

Hopefully he gets another opportunity at the top of the order at some stage. NCN’s game is very well suited to SC regardless, as we saw in his first game of the season when he notched 169 points.

There is an injury/resting risk, but the payoff could be huge.

3. Michael Neser (2.2% owned, $146k)

Neser is another whose role I like based on the BBL SC scoring system. Last round he opened the bowling and batted at seven for the Strikers. There was nothing too notable in terms of SuperCoach performance, but he was tidy enough with 1 for 22 from 3 overs (didn’t get the chance for a 4th due to the Heat being bowled out).

He can be expensive at times in T20s going at 8.5 an over across his career. On the other hand, Neser looks to me to be in his prime right now. He’s shown that in the Sheffield Shield this season with a century and a five wicket haul.

I’m backing him to claim plenty of wickets with the ball and pick up a few S/R bonuses with the bat.

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4. Travis Head (4.2% owned, $171.1k)

Head averaged 60.3 SC points last season thanks to a few handy overs with the ball to go with his batting exploits. The wise thing to do is probably to wait until you see him regularly bowling a few overs before bringing him in. However, if you take the punt this round and it comes off you’ll be duly rewarded due to his low ownership.

5. Mitchell Swepson (5.8% owned, $101.4k)

I talked about him in the last article as someone who could match Adam Zampa’s output. Unfortunately, the long lay-off may not have helped him. He’s very affordable though. Playing the first game of the round he’s also a great emergency loop option.

6. Jack Prestwidge (2.9% owned, $125.3k)

I’ve got Prestwidge noted here based on potential and opportunity. Regularly bowling his four overs and batting at five for the Renegades, he could go huge if it comes off. He’s another you can emergency loop playing in the first game of this round.

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7. Wes Agar (6.9% owned, $166.5k)

The big quick is going from strength-to-strength at just 23-years-old. He has 21 wickets this tournament to go along with an improving E/R at a tick under 8. The Strikers have two home matches coming up against the Thunder. He could be a good one to grab if you fancy the matchups.

8. Peter Siddle (6.2% owned, $137.9k)

At the other end of his career, the wily veteran Siddle continues to outfox batsman. He looks to be bowling at critical times for the Strikers, resulting in plenty of wicket-taking opportunities.

Siddle tapered off a little bit after starting the season on fire with 169 points against the Hurricanes. However, the scoring potential is still very much there as he showed with three wickets against the Heat.

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9. Matthew Wade (6.4% owned, $171.3k)

Wade is one of the few batsmen to feature consistently in the top averaging SC players in recent seasons. He showed a big ceiling last season when he scored 130 not out against the Strikers.

I have others above him because I think this season’s point scoring more so suits bowlers and allrounders. It also doesn’t help that the keeper position is stacked this season. Wade is an intriguing POD nonetheless.

10. Shaun Marsh (7.9% owned, $110.3k)

I’ve written a lot about S Marsh’s incredible career BBL batting average of over 40. I think there’s still a chance he could go big in the last few matches to prop up this season’s numbers (batting ave 27.2). I’ve dropped him a bit down the list given his form this tournament.

A somewhat controversial call here is that I’ve dropped the world’s number one T20 batsman Dawid Malan off this list. This may well come back to bite me. However, form aside, I dislike his move down to number four for SuperCoach purposes. I feel it limits his ceiling compared to others.

I’ve also dropped Mark Steketee and Morne Morkel off the list. Morkel was subbed out of the Heat’s last game, which reduces his appeal.

Steketee I still don’t mind as an option, especially against the Renegades this round. However, he just misses out to others for mine with the Heat looking a little bit out of form in their last match (as a Brisbanite myself hopefully he proves me wrong!).

We have two double-headers coming up for the weekend. How good! Enjoy and good luck for the last few regular season rounds.

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