Watchlist, round 5: Rising and falling player stocks

It’s hard to believe we’re halfway through the season already!

With most of the double game weeks out of the way, I’ve given more consideration to what our final teams could look like.

The lists below rank the best targets for upcoming rounds. Targets are prioritised by points potential rather than value, so factor that in when considering your trade options.

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Wicketkeepers

Round 5 & 6 targets

1. Cameron Bancroft – Sydney Thunder
2. Sam Billings – Sydney Thunder
3. Matt Gilkes – Sydney Thunder

No changes here since last round. Bancroft looks to be the only wicketkeeping option with a top order role for the upcoming Thunder double.

Round 7 & 8 targets

1. Matthew Wade – Hobart Hurricanes
2. Shai Hope – Hobart Hurricanes
3. Ben McDermott – Hobart Hurricanes

I wouldn’t be looking at any keepers without a double remaining. So, Wade, Hope and McDermott are the only players on the list from round 7 onwards, with Wade preferred at the moment due to his opening role. Hopefully he can be traded in at a discount in a few rounds.

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Batters and allrounders

Round 5 & 6 targets:

1. Will Sutherland – Melbourne Renegades
2. Dan Sams – Sydney Thunder
3. Nikhil Chaudhary – Hobart Hurricanes
4. Jack Edwards – Sydney Sixers
5. David Warner – Sydney Thunder
6. Jason Sangha – Sydney Thunder
7. Oliver Davies – Sydney Thunder

Added: Nikhil Chaudhary, Jack Edwards

Removed: Aaron Hardie, Paul Walter, Glenn Maxwell, Beau Webster

Big Chief Sutherland has the best role of the allrounders outside of Jamie Overton. So, he tops the list because Overton has a round six bye.

Unfortunately, Dan Sams has been batting at 8 most of this season. Nonetheless, he’ll still be essential for the Thunder double. I’m waiting a week with a tough game against the Scorchers in round five.

I still like Jack Edwards despite a move to number six in the batting order. He bowled several key overs in the Sixers’ most recent match.

Warner, Ollie Davies and Jason Sangha (if available) can be targeted for the round six Thunder double.

Nikhil Chaudhary is one to consider with a low breakeven. He’s getting scoring opportunities with bat and ball.

I’ve removed Aaron Hardie from the Watchlist, as I’m waiting to see him bowl.

I think we’ve seen enough to say that Paul Walter won’t be a keeper this season. Teams have had more opportunity to have a look at his bowling and the Heat haven’t been as strong overall as a team this year, which previously helped his wicket count.

Glenn Maxwell has also been removed from the list due to batting low in the order and only receiving limited bowling opportunities. The Stars’ also have a bye in round 8, which is off-putting. For this reason, I’ve also removed Beau Webster.

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Round 7 & 8 targets:

1. Jamie Overton – Adelaide Strikers
2. Matt Short – Adelaide Strikers*
3. Cooper Connolly – Perth Scorchers
4. Hayden Kerr – Sydney Sixers
5. Michael Neser – Brisbane Heat
6. Mitch Owen – Hobart Hurricanes

Added: Michael Neser

The Strikers’ contingent of Overton and M.Short (if available) will be the best allrounder options following their round 6 bye.

I would have liked to have held onto Cooper Connolly. Where lineups suit, he is still rolling the arm over and is in form with the bat.

Hayden Kerr is another allrounder option. Just keep an eye out for the return of Sean Abbott following Test commitments, which would affect Kerr’s role.

Michael Neser is likely to return for the Heat soon. One to keep an eye on, as he may be eased back into bowling his full allotment.

Mitch Owen looks good at the top of the order for the Hurricanes. Hopefully his price is reasonable come the round 8 double.

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Bowlers

Round 5 & 6 targets

1. Chris Jordan – Hobart Hurricanes
2. Chris Green – Sydney Thunder
3. Wes Agar – Sydney Thunder
4. Lockie Ferguson – Sydney Thunder
5. Tom Andrews – Sydney Thunder

Moved up: Chris Jordan, Chris Green

Moved down: Lockie Ferguson

Removed: Spencer Johnson, Tanveer Sangha

Chris Jordan’s role has looked good all season, batting at 7 and bowling key overs for the Hurricanes. He delivered with 114 SC points this round, so will need to be prioritised if we’re to get him at a decent price.

Chris Green is batting at seven for the Thunder and looks a solid option for their double. Fellow Thunder spinner Tom Andrews looks a decent cheapie option, following news that Tanveer Sangha is expected to be out for at least the next few rounds.

Lockie Ferguson is a gun option but can wait until round 6, with a high breakeven incoming. Instead, it could be worth prioritising Wes Agar following his 104 point round 4 performance.

I’ve removed Spencer Johnson from this list, as I’d prefer the likes of Bartlett or Neser due to potential for batting points.

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Round 7 & 8 targets

1. Jhye Richardson – Perth Scorchers
2. Ben Dwarshuis – Sydney Sixers
3. Sean Abbott – Sydney Sixers
4. Jason Behrendorff – Perth Scorchers
5. Xavier Bartlett – Brisbane Heat
6. Nathan Ellis – Hobart Hurricanes
7. Riley Meredith – Hobart Hurricanes
8. Billy Stanlake – Hobart Hurricanes

Added: Jhye Richardson, Sean Abbott, Jason Behrendorff

No big surprises here. I’ve added the pace contingent of Jhye Richardson, Sean Abbott and Jason Behrendorff. We’ll need to keep an eye on Richo and Abbott’s availability following the Test series.