Tim Williams
SC Playbook founder, 2nd NRL 2020, 43rd BBL 21/22'
Final Word: Skippers, tactics, weather, RD 15
We have the final say on the major Round 15 plays, including weather reports, super PODs, skippers and more.
Final Word
January 31, 2021
- CHAMPION’S ADVICE: Attacking the final rounds of the SuperCoach season
- SC PLAYBOOK PODCAST: Analysing every side in Big Bash finals
Round 14 came and went in an absolute flash, with Round 15 arriving before we know it.
Hopefully those of you recovering from a weekend on the beers have enough life left in you to get your trades in for the second round of BBL SuperCoach finals.
There’s just one game to pick from with the Sydney Thunder taking on the Brisbane Heat, so it shouldn’t require too much manipulation.
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Embed from Getty ImagesThe clash is at Manuka Oval, which we all know is a batsmen’s paradise, so I’ll be spending up big on batsmen rather than bowlers.
The Cooma Stallions had an okay round of 525 points to move slightly upwards into 861st overall.
It’s been a grind, but we’re getting some credibility back in the rankings, hopefully that top 500 spot isn’t far off.
Let’s take a look at SuperCoach Round 15, with a guest cameo from the SC Spy who is brimming with confidence having finished 45th overall last round.
Embed from Getty ImagesWEATHER WATCH
All weather is courtesy of the Bureau of Meteorology as of Sunday, 11am. All times are in AEDT. Forecasts are subject to change.
SUNDAY
7:15PM: Thunder v Heat, Manuka Oval, Canberra.
Forecast: Cloudy, 25 degrees, 30% chance of rain.
Embed from Getty ImagesSUPER PODS
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.
They come with big risk, but the reward is immense if it comes off.
In last round’s article, Mitchell Swepson delivered once again with 76 points, while I nominated three anti-PODs in order of Chris Lynn, Alex Carey and Josh Philippe.
They almost all delivered, with Lynn (6) and Carey (13) flopping, while Philippe (80) went big.
Hopefully you jumped on the anti-POD wagon last round and left Lynn and Carey out of your side.
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.
As such, I’m throwing in another anti-POD option alongside my super POD.
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.
Callum Ferguson
I wanted this to be Adam Milne who I’ve reiterated over and over again that I’m a big fan of, but on the Manuka Oval deck I think it’ll be hard yakka getting a decent economy rate bonus for bowlers.
While Ferguson won’t exactly be low-ownership, it’s extremely hard to find any half decent player with minimal buyers in a round with one game, but hopefully plenty stay off.
He’s batting at three for the Thunder and will play the anchor role in the innings which I don’t think will be that difficult at Manuka.
He’s not explosive, and I think that scares plenty of potential owners off, so hopefully he can deliver a half-century at under a run-a-ball and score well.
He already has four scores over 70 this season, with a high of 87, so hopefully that evolves into a ton tonight!
Embed from Getty ImagesAnti-POD
I love the idea of anti-PODs at Manuka because you can attack bowlers who may struggle for the economy bonus and taking wickets as we saw with Jhye Richardson (9) and Sean Abbott (33) on Saturday night.
Congrats to anyone who left either or both of them out in Round 14.
I think you can do similar with guys like Tanveer Sangha, Mark Steketee and Jack Wildermuth this round.
I’d advise against anti-POD plays on top order batsmen like Lynn and Alex Hales because they could go nuts on top of the order.
I think Sangha will be popular this round, but he’s been sharing overs with Chris Green lately having only bowled two overs last game.
With the batsmen friendly deck, no guarantee of four overs and his likely popularity I think leaving him out is a great play.
TIM W: TRADES/SKIPPERS
I’ve mentioned most of my plays above, and I despise the idea of having near identical teams to rivals, so I’ll try to add in a few PODs without getting silly.
As mentioned, I’ll be spending up big on gun top order bats and utilising a few anti-POD plays on popular bowlers.
I’m extremely tempted to skipper whoever bats first out of Hales or Lynn because I think Marnus Labuschagne will be an extremely popular captain for good reason.
I’ll probably lean towards Marnus, but I’ll see how game I’m feeling come the toss.
While I love Daniel Sams, I’ll avoid him as skipper in his return from injury on a flat deck.
Embed from Getty ImagesSC SPY: TRADES/SKIPPERS
Finals is a whole new ball game and for me it’s about trying to pick blokes that don’t directly compete against each other.
Obviously when it’s a one game round that becomes just about impossible, but you can still have a bit of a crack.
For me this week I think it makes sense you pick which side you think will win and pick predominately players from this team.
The other option is to split it 50-50 and take a POD or two. I am going to target Thunder players to a degree and hope they win easily.
Four batsmen (including a WKP) against two batsmen from the heat and three Thunder bowlers against two from the Heat.
Embed from Getty ImagesThis provides some cover in the event it isn’t a Thunder whitewash and I think anymore from one team could be overkill as it is hard for all of them to score.
It also gives me the most chance of accruing huge points if the Thunder do indeed get the job done, if i can then pick the correct Heat guys to compliment them.
Honestly though, any option is okay, just back yourself in but that will be my strategy. Skippering Marnus Labuschagne is the obvious option outside of Daniel Sams, but there are a few semi POD plays like Hales or Lynn if you think they can go off on a good Manuka track.
I would lean to Hales personally who has been in killer form, but I will probably play safe with Marnus who bats at three and is bowling very, very well of late!
Hi lads, I thought same Captain whoever bats first of Lynn vs Hales. However looking at last nights game, the pitch was better for batting at night when Philippe and Hughes went off. Does that mean we could target who bats second of Lynn or Hales?
Hey mate,
Generally I’d target the side batting first just in case the side is rolled for 100 in the first innings, really limiting the potential for a player in the second innings to maximise overs face (all going to plan).
I think at Manuka it’s less of an issue. The deck is so batting friendly that a decent score should be pretty safe.
The night factor wouldn’t worry me as much, but if you do prefer one of Lynn or Hales more so than it’s fair to just go with that person regardless of when batting.
Who is a good replacement for anti podding T.Sangha