Watchlist: Positional rankings, team, trade plans, Rd 9

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 8 Update

First off, thanks to the great man Charlie Dadds for covering this article last round! I was away on holidays and it showed in my SC side, as I struggled to get my loops right.

My team is still tracking well though, having moved into 600th. Next target is top 500, then top 200 and ideally top 100 by the end of the season. 

My team

Wicketkeepers: Wade, Gilkes

Batters: M Short, Phillipe, Kerr, McDermott, Vince, Stoinis, Cam Green

Bowlers: Tye, Thornton, Abbott, Ellis, A Agar, Wood, K Richardson 

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Updated watch list and rankings

Wicketkeepers

1. Josh Inglis
2. Cameron Bancroft
3. Joe Clarke
4. Alex Carey

Removed: Nil

Added: Inglis, Bancroft, Carey, Clarke

We’re spoilt for choice in the keeper position this round. 

Inglis is the obvious choice. He’s been epic this season, averaging 68 points prior to round 8. However, no bat is ever a certainty and he is a tad low in the order at 4. Anti-POD anyone?

If you do decide to Anti-POD, you could go straight to Inglis’ Scorchers teammate Bancroft.

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Bangas looked in great nick pre-season, which he carried into BBL when he finally got the opportunity.

If Bancroft and the Scorchers’ top order fires, it could be even more beneficial to Anti-PODing Inglis, as it will limit his opportunities to score. 

Joe Clarke is another POD option for this round. We saw his upside when he scored a century in round one. His form has waned since then though. 

Alex Carey is value at $120k. I don’t think I’ll go there this round though, as I expect him to bat no higher than 4. 

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Batters

1. Travis Head (bat/bowl)
2. Beau Webster (bat/bowl)
3. Aaron Hardie (bat/bowl)
4. Chris Lynn
5. Colin de Grandhomme (bat/bowl)

Removed: Silk, Jewell

Added: Head, Webster, Hardie, Lynn, de Grandhomme

Travis Head is the standout batting option for me this week. His form in both red ball and white ball cricket is undeniable. Add in the ability to roll the arm over and his ceiling is huge. 

Webster dropped down the order to bat 5 last round but still bowled his 4 overs. It’s the bowling that’s most important for Supercoach and this passes the eye test for me. His height makes him a unique proposition and I love his ability to swap between off-spin and medium pace.

Hardie didn’t bowl last round but looked incredible batting at first drop. For pace friendly wickets I expect him to be the 6th bowler, which adds to his upside. However, I brang in Ashton Agar last round for loop purposes and probably favour him slightly for the safety of 4 overs with the ball.

Chris Lynn has found great touch of late and we know how damaging he can be. He leaves the tournament shortly but looks an excellent punt for the Strikers’ double if you’re prepared to trade him in then out. 

Tim’s boy CDG has found a handy role, bowling 4 overs on a couple of occasions in the last few rounds. His overs have been a tad erratic though and our team predictions expert Max Bryden has him dropping to 6 in the batting order. Therefore, I don’t think I’ll go there.

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Bowlers

1. Lance Morris
2. Wes Agar
3. Cameron Boyce 
4. Ben Mannenti
5. Jason Behrendorff

Removed: Hurricanes’ and Sixers’ bowlers

Added: Morris, W Agar, Boyce, Behrendorff

Lance Morris is difficult to ignore at near bottom dollar, even if he carries rotation risk as per all Scorchers’ quicks. Just make sure you can cover him. 

Max Bryden uncovered Wed Agar a few rounds ago and has since broken him! I don’t think it would take much to turn this around though and the Strikers have decent matchups this round, playing both Melbourne teams.

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Cameron Boyce averaged an incredible 79  SC points over four games last season. He replaces Rashid Khan as part of a strong Strikers bowling attack. Don’t mind him at all as a POD.

Boyce does have competition for his spot though in the form of Ben Manenti. Manenti could be a handy POD himself, as he averages nearly 40 with the bat in First Class and List A (One Day cricket)! I’m not sure he’ll get opportunity to bat high enough to make this relevant though. 

Behrendorff has been excellent this season, averaging 58 pre round 8. This has been due in part to bowling the full allotment of 4 overs more regularly. I think he might be due a rest though, so I prefer the much cheaper option in Morris.

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Trade thoughts 

Head, Webster and Morris are the priorities for me in round 9. Like many, I also plan to trade boost. Bancroft over Inglis is tempting and is one I’ll mull over the next few days.

Happy trading and enjoy round 9!