Game 17 of the BBL09 has the undefeated Adelaide Strikers (3-0-1) take on the Sydney Thunder (2-1-1) at the Adelaide Oval. This is a rematch from the abandoned match in Canberra between the two sides before Christmas. This match on New Year’s Eve is the traditional slot for the Strikers and one of the most attended by crowds.

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 $20,000 up for grabs in their main contest for a $15 entry, and $1,500 guaranteed for their popular $2 Mini. Moneyball have put up $5,000 for their $15 contest and $500 for their $2 buy in contest.

Adelaide Oval has already hosted the highest run total for BBL09 with a remarkable 381 runs scored in only 36 overs in a rain affected match between the Strikers and the Scorchers. 52 boundaries were hit by the two teams with 15 going over the rope for 6. With Adelaide’s baking weather is the past couple of days, I expect another dry and fast surface for batsman to feast on. There will be a cool change in Adelaide the day before which it will make it pleasant for spectators and players alike.

The Sydney Thunder lost in a Super Over classic at the SCG on Sunday night after Tom Curran for the Sixers proved to be the difference between the two sides. Callum Ferguson is showing his one of the finest T20 batsman in the competition after scoring 52 off 42 last start. The Captain of the Thunder has now scored 73no, 4, 27no and 52 runs in the tournament. Alex Hales and Usman Khawaja were looking dangerous in their opening partnership of 48 off 5 overs against Sydney and these two will look to feast in Adelaide. Matthew Gilkes has shown absolutely nothing with the bat so far and we could be counting down the days before Jay Lenton could be reintroduced into the XI. Outside of the top three, it will be hard for the Thunder to post a mammoth score without losing wickets early.

 

Opening overseas signing Phil Salt finally got going for frustrated Fantasy owners who held tight to him since the start of the tournament. A 26 ball 54 netted Salt 93 Draftstars fantasy points, who will be looking to continue his form on this flat Adelaide deck. Alex Carey continues to be the prize wicket for opposition teams. Although if you have rostered Carey in your teams in the past two games, he has failed to reach strike rate bonus. 

The Strikers bowling attack outside of Billy Stanlake has been a sound source of fantasy scoring with Rashid Khan leading this attack. But as previously mentioned, it will be tough for the bowlers where boundaries at this ground are easy to hit.

 

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Batsman

 

Love It - Phillip Salt ($15,400 Draftstars) 

Salt now becomes Fantasy relevant after his innings against the Renegades. That Marvel pitch suited Salt and with his 5th game coming up in the tournament, Salt will relish the opportunity against the Thunder. His price of Draftstars makes him affordable and no doubt will see ownership higher in his previous matches (average of 25% ownership).   

 

Don’t Love It - Matthew Short ($10,200 Draftstars)

We keep picking Short at a cheap salary and each time we are disappointed with the results. Over 60% ownership on Draftstars against the Renegades but only 1 catch and a 1 ball effort with the bat. Plus Short was shuffled down the order until 7 and he only bowled 1 over so far in the tournament! Unless circumstances change going forward, Short is not on my “short” pool of players in my teams.     

 

Who Knows? - Matthew Gilkes ($9,400 Draftstars)

I could of thrown Gilkes in the same category as Short after his 7 ball duck against the Sixers. His spot is now in jeopardy so I am expecting Gilkes to give his owners something against the Strikers. But like many batsman before him, Gilkes has not face Rashid Khan and who knows how this is going to go…  

 

Bowlers

 

Love It - Wes Agar ($10,600 Draftstars)

Opening up for the Strikers in his previous two games, Agar will be a popular play after his 2 for 20 against the Renegades. His salary is only creeping up so he is easily affordable for his owners. Bowled the opening two overs and was held back to bowl the 19th against the Renegades. So we have opportunity for fantasy points from Agar. 

 

Don’t Love It - Billy Stanlake ($11,500 Draftstars)

Big Billy through 4 games has only taken 1 wicket in BBL09 and that wicket came in the abandoned game back in Canberra. Stanlake has failed to keep the economy rate below 8 runs per over, so essentially he has provided zero fantasy production. Pretty easy fade until Stanlake starts taking poles or at least keep his bowling tight.

 

Who Know? - Cameron Valente ($10,400 Draftstars)

Valente cashed in on some junk time when asked to bowl the final over against the Renegades. With the ‘gades needing 23 of 6, Valente picked up two wickets. I am not so sure Valente is apart of the death bowling plans going forward but has potential if Valente is bowling overs 18, 19 or 20.

 

 

 

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