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The 3rd match of this BBL09 finals series is Game 59 between the Adelaide Strikers and the Sydney Thunder. The match will be at the Adelaide Oval starting at 7:40pm AEDT with the winner of this match advancing to the Challenger final against the Melbourne Stars on Thursday next week.

All season long we have provided 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 $20,000 contest for a $15 entry, as well as a $1,500 Mini and even a $200 Single Entry contest for a $10 buy-in. Moneyball are offering a $5,000 contest for a $15 entry as well as a $500 guarantee on their $2 contest.

Adelaide after a hot spell has experienced a significant amount of rainfall on Friday with up to 60mm of rain forecasted into Saturday morning. The forecast also indicates that this rain will clear by game time but in terms of preparation of this wicket, it may swing the favour back towards the bowlers. This pitch has been regarded as a batsman paradise this season but apart from the Hurricanes and Strikers explosion match last week, the ground is actually a below average fantasy scoring venue.

The Strikers have named an unchanged 13 that lost to the Hurricanes in Adelaide in that mammoth run feast. Although the bowling attack got smacked around last time out, the change in conditions brings the fast bowling back into focus with Peter Siddle and Michael Neser leading the charge. Billy Stanlake is unlikely to keep his spot with Harry Conway waiting in the wings. 

The Thunder have also taken an unchanged 13 that got the job done in Hobart after the opening partnership effectively batted the Hurricanes out of the game. The Thunder were able to apply pressure by taking the key wickets of Wade and Short and strangled the ‘Canes chase. Well done to those who rostered Jono Cook who took a season’s best bowling figures of 4 for 24 (138 fantasy points).

These two teams played twice during the regular season but due to the smoke game in Canberra, we only have the NYE clash in Adelaide as a reference. The Strikers could not chase down the Thunder’s score of 169. The Strikers were never really in the contest, although a fighting Jake Weatherald half-century and late Rashid Khan cameo ensured there was effort in the narrow defeat. Peter Siddle was the pick of the Strikers bowlers with two wickets. The Thunder rode half-centuries from Usman Khawaja and Callum Ferguson along with a pair wickets from Arjun Nair, Daniel Sams and Chris Morris in their victory. 

The ‘Bookies’ have the Strikers has hot favourites to defeat the Thunder but we need to monitor the weather in Adelaide prior to the Bat Flip. 

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Batsman

Love It - Travis Head ($16,000 Draftstars)

Head was building a really good partnership with Phil Salt against the Hurricanes before being dismissed for 47 off 37 balls. With the inconsistency of either opening batsman this season, Head has had plenty of opportunities to bat once he returned to the team from Test duty. With the salaries coming down for these middle order batsman I like Head in this spot at home. A key for the Strikers to advance into the tournament.

Don’t Love It - Jay Lenton ($9,500 Draftstars)    

Although he took two catches against the Hurricanes, Lenton is down to bat 8 in the Thunder batting order. Would need an almighty collapse or incredible bump up the batting order for Lenton to create any fantasy production. Fade.

Who Knows - Jake Weatherald ($14,800 Draftstars)

The yo-yo in Weatherald has not changed his characteristics throughout the year by either failing or hitting the jackpot. His last 6 fantasy scores include - 6, 43, 5, 15, 56 and 2. Now at a price that you could take a chance with Weatherald but who knows what you will get from Jake.    

Bowlers

Love It - Peter Siddle ($14,400 Draftstars)

With bowling friendly conditions forecasted and a pitch that “may” be underdone then I am looking for class seam/swing bowling. Siddle will be my first choice due to his vast experience and friendly salary on Draftstars. Siddle is the 5th leading wicket taker in the competition with 17 wickets with an economy rate of 7.35. Whilst Rashid Khan and Daniel Sams are good selections, just can’t get past the price and potential of Siddle. 

Don’t Love It - Brendan Doggett ($11,200 Draftstars)

Bit of a head scratcher with Doggett. Being awful until he was dropped from the side then returns for the Eliminator. The Thunder’s plan was to bowl slower balls into the wicket against the Hurricanes but Doggett proceeded to bowl half-volleys. Another player that will not be considered in lineups.

Who Knows - Rashid Khan ($20,500 Draftstars)

Purely down to the conditions, if the Adelaide Oval produces a flat deck and dry conditions then Khan races back into contention as one of my first selected. But a muggy evening in Adelaide means I want the fast bowlers instead. However Khan will find himself in plenty of teams with game winning potential.