daily fantasy sports articles

Current Market Odds as of December 5th 2019

To win BBL09 - $5.50 (Current 2nd Favourite) on BetEasy

Melbourne Stars Player Profiles

Hilton Cartwright (RH Middle-order Batsman, Right Arm Medium Bowler)

BBL08 Record: 11 Matches – Batting: 18.11 Avg, 102.52 S/R

Cartwright among other Perth Scorchers players have come across to the Stars to bring a wealth of experience. Did not succeed at the Scorchers last season but will play the middle order finisher role with the bat. Do not expect fantasy goodness when you bat at 6.

Ben Dunk (LH Opening Batsman, RH Off Spin Bowler)

BBL Record: 16 Matches – Batting: 22.80 Avg, 116.80 S/R, Bowling: 0 Wickets, 7.25 S/R

Dunk had a much better BBL08 campaign and did provide a great 57 run effort in the BBL08 final. Should open again in the early stages of the tournament. If Dunk does not produce early stages of the tournament, the Stars may mix it up. Just be wary of expectations. 

Glenn Maxwell (RH Middle-order Batsman, RH Off-spin Bowler)

BBL Record: 12 Matches – Batting: 36. Avg, 145.37 S/R, Bowling: 3 Wickets, 8.06 Econ

Glenn Maxwell is one of the most exciting and aggressive batsmen in the world, with the ability to bat in any role and anywhere in the lineup. The Cricket world did embrace Maxwell with his recent bout of Mental Illness but we should see Maxwell play the tournament. A borderline must in fantasy teams, especially if the Stars go light in the spinner department.  

Peter Handscomb (RH Middle-order Batsman, Wicketkeeper)

BBL Record: 8 Matches – Batting: 24.13 Avg, 130.41 S/R, Wicketkeeping: 3 Catches, 1 Stumping

Handscomb has been on the cusp of international selection throughout the previous seasons and may get another call-up to the One Day Side in January. Played a memorable knock of 70 off 35 balls in Sydney when he was dropped from the Test team last summer. Will take the keeping gloves as well and look to build more game time in this tournament.   

Marcus Stoinis (RH Middle-order Batsman, RH Medium-Fast Bowler)

BBL Record: 14 Matches – Batting: 53.30 Avg, 130.63 S/R, Bowling: 14 Wickets, 8.21 Econ

Stoinis was the team’s highest scorer with 533 runs at a consistently impressive strike rate of 130.63, with four fifties. His highest knock of the season came against the Brisbane Heat - a brutal 81 off 51 balls at the Gabba. He also contributed with the ball when called upon, taking 14 wickets for the season. Premium fantasy player in the game and will be one of the most expensive as well. 

Pat Brown (RH Fast Bowler, RH Tailend Batsman)

BBL Record: Yet to Play Big Bash, T20 Career - 52 wickets, 8.32 Econ

Brown is the 3rd Overseas player signed by the Stars, who will take over Dale Steyn’s international commitments in the middle of January. Like fellow countrymen Phil Salt, Brown has burst on the international scene after dominating the T20 Vitality Blast in England and earning a call up to the England T20 International side. Watch for his variations and will be an ideal replacement in the middle of the tournament. 

Nathan Coulter-Nile (RH Fast-Medium Bowler, RH Lower-order Batsman)

BBL Record: 13 Matches – Bowling: 14 Wickets, 7.45 Econ, Batting: 20.40 Avg, 164.52 S/R

The fast international bowler comes over from the Scorchers to boost the Stars bowling attack. You can pretty much say he is a genuine all-rounder with his hard hitting ability and death bowling. Going to be a popular fantasy player and rightly so. Likely to gain selection in the One Day squad. 

Adam Zampa (RH Leg-spin Bowler RH Lower-order Batsman)

BBL Record: 12 Matches – Bowling: 14 Wickets, 6.89 Econ, Batting: 19 Avg, 80 S/R

Zampa is an established member of Australia’s ODI and T20I teams as an excellent wicket taker with his crafty leg spinners. Again will have an interrupted tournament due to the India Tour but should be a handy fantasy player if he can keep his economy low in matches.    

Sandeep Lamichhane (RH Leg-spin Bowler, RH Tailend Batsman)

BBL Record: 7 Matches - Bowling: 11 Wickets, 6.97 Econ

The exciting 19-year old slow bowler from Nepal will return for his second season with the Stars. Lamichhane was well received by the Stars fans with his ability to bowl leg spin but his wicket taking “googly’s” set Lamichhane apart of the competition. Having the ability to play the whole tournament is an added bonus for the Stars. 

Lance Morris (RH Fast-Medium Bowler, RH Tailend Batsman)

BBL08 Record: Yet to Debut

The Perth based Fast Bowler is only 21 and will be looking to break into Stars side with his raw pace. But with Steyn, Brown etc in front of the queue we should not see much of Morris in BBL09.

Nick Larkin (RH Top-Order Batsman)

BBL Record: 8 Matches – Batting: 31.80 Avg, 116.01 S/R

Larkin was a very suitable replacement player when the Stars were missing players. Unlikely to play until the middle of the tournament, Larkin is going to be very suitable for Fantasy when he gets his go. 

Tom O’Connell (LH Leg-spin Bowler, LH Tail end Batsman)

BBL Record: 3 Matches – Bowling: 1 Wickets, 7.20 Econ, Batting: 9.00 Avg, 128.57 S/R

O’Connell was a replacement player for the Stars and made most of his opportunity by earning a full time squad contract for the Stars. Again only will be required if players are out for the Stars and will be value if he gets a game.  

Jackson Coleman (LH Medium-Fast Bowler, RH Tailend Batsman)

BBL Record: 3 Matches – Bowling: 3 Wickets, 7.86 Econ, Batting: 0.00 Avg, 0 S/R

Coleman is a multi-talented athlete who took a few years off cricket to pursue a career in the AFL, but returned to cricket a few years later. The quick has not featured in the Stars side since Game 3 in BBL08, another reserve player that may get a go later in the tournament. 

Seb Gotch (RH Middle order Batsman, Wicket-keeper)

BBL Record: 9 Matches – Batting: 21.33 Avg, 116.67 S/R, Wicketkeeping: 5 Catches, 0 Stumpings

Gotch is a very handy batsman and keeper who is very composed at the crease, fast between the wickets and with a sound technique. Played some really consistent anchoring innings throughout BBL08. Probably not in the starting XI but will make appearances throughout BBL09. 

Jonathan Merlo (RH Middle-order Batsman, RH Fast-Medium Bowler)

BBL Record: 4 Matches - Batting: 7.33 Avg, 110.00 S/R

Merlo is a skilful all-rounder who got a chance to play 4 matches in BBL08 but did not have much of a go when he came in to bat either at 6 or 7. If this trend continues if Merlo gets a game then we can safely ignore. 

Dale Steyn (RH Fast-Medium Bowler, RH Lower-order Batsman)

BBL Record: Yet to make his debut - Career T20 Bowling - 21.24 Avg, 6.71 S/R

South African Fast Bowling legend comes to Australia for the 1st time to take part in the earlier games of BBL09. Likely to be selected for South Africa’s One Day series against England in the middle of January. Steyn will bring the crowds in to see his pace and trickery and should take plenty of poles. Will be a popular play for casuals in fantasy. 

Daniel Worrall (RH Fast-Medium Bowler, RH Lower-order Batsman)

BBL Record: 4 Matches – Bowling: 6 Wickets, 7.50 Economy, Batting: 1.00 Avg, 100.00 S/R

Worrall featured at the back of the BBL08 tournament after injury ruined most of the season. The swing bowler managed to take 6 wickets but was ineffective in the Final against the Renegades. Should start the season with the Stars in the XI and is a fine fantasy play. 

Nic Maddinson (LH Top order Batsman, LH Off-spin Bowler)

BBL Record: 10 Matches – Batting: 12.11 Avg, 99.09 S/R, Bowling: 0 Wickets, 9.00 Econ

After returning to the Stars from a broken arm, Maddinson struggled to get anything going for the Stars in BBL08. Jury is out if Maddinson can return to his form of yesteryear. On his immediate return from Mental Illness I wouldn’t be loading up on Maddinson in Fantasy until production picks up. 

Clint Hinchliffe (LH Leg-spin Bowler, LH Lower Order Batsman)

BBL Record: 3 Matches – Bowling: 1 Wickets, 7.75 Econ, Batting: 12.00 Avg, 70.59 S/R

Hinchliffe has come over from the Scorchers where limited opportunity to get a game in Perth. Former Under 19 Australian representative is one to look for in the future.