Game 8 of the BBL09 sees the tournament head to Moe in Victoria for the Melbourne Stars and the Hobart Hurricanes. This game is the first of a Double Header on Sunday with the Sixers and Heat doing battle in Game 9 later today.

 

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 $10,000 contest for a $15 entry, as well as a $1,000 Mini and even a $200 Single Entry contest for a $10 buy-in. Moneyball are offering a $3,000 contest for a $15 entry as well as a $500 guarantee on their $2 contest. Draftstars have also offered a Double Header contest. Perfect opportunity to use the 'Player Swap' tool if a player in the 2nd match (Sixers vs Heat) is not selected.

 

Moe 1st hosted a BBL match between the Stars and the Thunder back in January chasing down a modest total of 135 in 17 overs. Marcus Stonis was the fantasy hero that game with 2 wickets and 38 runs off the bat. I wouldn’t read too much into this particular game but the captain who wins the toss will most likely have a bowl to gauge pitch conditions. Weather conditions are pleasant for the players with a forecast high of 25 with “increasing sunshine”.

Both teams were impressive in their wins on Friday with the Hurricanes defending a small total in the Alice, on the back of Qais Ahmed’s brilliant spell of spin bowling. The Stars were lead by captain Glenn Maxwell who bullied the Heat attack on the Gold Coast. It was interesting to see that George Bailey and James Faulkner were “managed” by the Hurricanes for this game. Tom Rogers and David Moody come into the squad. Nathan Coulter-Nile is still out for the Stars along with Dale Steyn. Haris Rauf along with “Frankie” Worrell spearhead the pace attack.

 

We have full team previews for BBL09, so you can read up on any of the Hobart Hurricanes and Melbourne Stars players you may not be familiar with prior to building your lineups.

 

As mentioned, teams on foreign surfaces prefer to send teams in to gauge the pitch conditions. I will be more inclined to target the team that wins the toss, especially 1st innings bowlers. Both teams perceived weakness has been their bowling but especially the Hurricanes. The ‘canes showed in the Alice that spinner Qais Ahmed is a serious player but the omission of James Faulkner means an inexperienced bowler in Rogers or Moody along with Nathan Ellis may find themselves under pressure from the Stars Batsman.

 

The Stars batting order did raise eyebrows with Nic Maddison opening and Ben Dunk at 6. A check of the batting order at the toss is highly recommended.

 

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

 

 

Batsman

 

Love it - Glenn Maxwell ($19,100 Draftstars)

Gee didn’t Maxwell look good on Friday night. A brilliant knock of 83 off 39 balls set-up the first win of the year. His power and guile behind the wicket was his signature but should continue to prosper against this Hurricane attack. 

 

Don’t Love it - Ben Dunk ($12,600 Draftstars)

I was shocked like everyone when “opener” Ben Dunk strode to the crease at number 6. Certainly caused confusion when the team sheets were released but in hindsight his 41 fantasy point effort was acceptable. If Dunk is named again in the middle order, I wouldn’t be racing to get shares of him in my teams.

 

Who knows? - Nic Maddison ($11,400 Draftstars)

Promoted to the top of the order, Maddison had the potential to break the slate against the Heat. Maddison bowled 2 overs and then got out early for 8 after putting a ball into the stands 1st over. Have fun if you roster Maddison as you really do not know what you are going to get. 

 

Bowlers

 

Love it - Qais Ahmad ($18,300 Draftstars)

Ahmed single handley won the game for the Hurricanes with his impressive spell of spin bowling against the Sixers. His 4 for 12 from 4 overs will take some beating as the best figures in the tournament and will spearhead the ‘Canes attack against this strong Stars batting lineup. However his price tag is quite significant and may leave few teams have him missing out. 

 

Don’t Love it - Clint Hinchcliffe ($10,000 Draftstars)

Owning a fantasy player who scores minus 10 is not the best feeling and owners of Hinchcliffe will be disappointed with his first effort. 6 ball duck to go with 1 over bowling for 10 runs wasn’t ideal but expect a better effort against the Hurricanes. However I am not expecting a ceiling score anytime soon. 

 

Who knows? - Clive Rose ($9,800 Draftstars)

We may see a rotation of bowlers from the Hurricanes in the 5th bowler spot throughout the season. A combination of Rose, David Moody and Tom Rogers will be tried to find the best fit to complement the Hurricanes attack. With Faulkner out, who knows who gets a game! Keep an eye on team sheets at the toss.

 

 

 

 

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