Sunday’s Double Header in the BBL kicks off at the CCIS (known as C.ex Coffs International Stadium) on Sunday evening where the Adelaide Strikers (3-1-1) are hosted by the Sydney Sixers (4-2). This is the first BBL cricket fixture at the ground where NRL trial games are common in this part of Australia.

Along with our famous FREE Cheat Sheets and Data Tools in our Data Tools section, new for the BBL09 season, Daily Fantasy Rankings presents the Draftstars Lineup Builder! Using our Data Tools and Projections you will be able to quickly build and import BBL teams into Draftstars by using the CSV upload. Access the Builder including tutorials on how the builder works by clicking the banner below.

Draftstars have posted a $15,000 contest for a $15 entry, as well as a $1,500 Mini and even a $200 Single Entry contest for a $10 buy-in. A Double-Header contest is also available (3 max entry on Draftstars, 20 max entry on Moneyball). Moneyball are offering a $5,000 contest for a $15 entry as well as a $500 guarantee on their $2 contest.

With no real ground reconnaissance to go off, we are going in a bit blind in terms of pitch characteristics. But a quick satellite search on Google Maps shows the ground looking like a postage stamp. Short on the off/on-side of the wicket but long down the ground. More like the Adelaide Oval before it was overhauled a few years back. Like the rest of Australia, the temperatures have been extreme over the holiday period but the conditions will be pleasant for spectators and players.

The Sydney Sixers have made a couple of changes to their squad which may influence the result of this game. First of all, Moises Henriques has left the team to get back to Sydney. Their 1st child is on the way and will certainly enjoy claiming the "Dad Bonus" from the Federal Government. Secondly, Test fast bowler Josh Hazelwood has been added to the 13 man squad after recovering from injury. Hazelwood is most likely to play although this Sixers pace attack is becoming a little one dimensional with Jackson Bird in the same mould as Hazelwood. Daniel Hughes will captain the side in the absence of Henriques.

The Strikers also welcome back Test player in Michael Neser who has been released by the Australian Test team to play in Coffs Harbour. Whilst running the drinks and gloves out to Marnus Labuschange is a tough gig, Neser should relish a game of cricket which he can participate. Liam O’Connor is back in the squad but is unlikely to play. 

 

The bookies have this match as a coin-flip and we cannot really nail down a preferred game script without past history. But with regional grounds around Australia “usually” produce slow, low bounce wickets, there is no harm siding with the bowlers. Keep a close eye on the Bat Flip and see what the Captain does.

 

This season, our famous FREE Data Tools have returned for BBL09. We have also expanded our tools to both Draftstars and Moneyball (New!) fantasy sites for the tournament.

 

Access our FREE Data Tools for Sunday's BBL Matchup here

Batsman

 

Love It - Daniel Hughes (Draftstars $14,100)

With the added responsibility of the Captaincy, I hope Hughes will value his wicket much more for the home team. A solid 50 fantasy point effort against the Renegades with a 31 ball 40 run innings along with a catch last time out. Priced lower against other opening Batsman such as Phil Salt and Josh Philippe, I like his chances here.

 

Don’t Love It - Cameron White (Draftstars $11,200) 

Good luck to anyone willing to pay $11,000 on a player that is averaging 5 fantasy points for the tournament… White is essentially keeping the seat warm for Travis Head’s debut in the tournament next week. Was 5% owned last game and that was way too much. Look if White is bumped into batting at 3 then we can consider, but if nothing changes then we can ignore.

 

Who knows - Phil Salt (Draftstars $14,900)  

Along with fellow English openers in Tom Banton and Alex Hales, it has been a rollercoaster ride for these overseas openers. We keep backing them in for a ceiling game but keep catching them when they fail. Maybe with this new venue Salt can show the way to play the ground. Like the match itself, it is a coin flip on whether we pick Salt or not. 

 

Bowlers

 

Love it - Michael Neser (Draftstars $13,900)

First up as mentioned and at a fantastic price to start with, Neser is more appealing than fellow bowling all-rounder Tom Curran and 1st gamer in Josh Hazelwood. Neser will bowl death overs and given the opportunity (once Cam White gets out for not much) can smack around late in the innings. Probably a bit rusty but a talented player.

 

Don’t Love It - Tom Curran (Draftstars $18,600)

How does Curran respond after being smacked around for 58 runs off 4 overs in the bloodbath down at Marvel Stadium? I’ll probably let others pick Curran and watch from afar. Without Abbott in the side in Melbourne, Curran did struggle but with Hazelwood now in the squad this may change Curran’s role to bowl more towards the end of the innings then earlier. 

 

Don’t Know - Cameron Valente (Draftstars $10,000)

Whilst Wes Agar has been excluded from the squad, the presence of Michael Neser will make Valente’s role in the side more confusing. If picked, Valente will probably bowl late powerplay into middle overs, with Khan, Neser and Siddle to bowl at the death. Whilst his price point is appealing, Valente can produce next to nothing fantasy production.

 

 

 

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