BBL Moneyball preview: Melbourne Stars versus Melbourne Renegades

It’s finally derby time ladies and gentlemen and it could not be a bigger game for both sides. The Stars are essentially playing an elimination final. Their season hinges on a win here, while the Renegades are looking to continue their good form and ascend to the top of the BBL|07 ladder. Both teams have their guns available and that makes for plenty of Moneyball options!

BATSMEN

Glenn Maxwell ($8,100)

The Big Show has been snubbed from international selection in what is the best news the Melbourne Stars could have hoped for. Maxwell will be breathing fire and looking to prove the selectors wrong on the biggest possible stage and that’ll be tonight. Maxwell hasn’t been in fantastic form so far this season, but when dealing with a player of his quality, you know a big score is always around the corner. He hasn’t been used from a bowling standpoint that much this season, but he’s still an all-round threat so scoring him as a batsman is also quite handy.

Cameron White ($6,600)

Cameron White has been close to the in-form batsman of the competition so far in BBL|07. He’s scored 182 runs this season (third most in the competition) and takes an average of 91 into this game thanks to a few unbeaten scores. At $6,600, the former Melbourne Stars captain picks himself, honestly. He’s in white hot form and should continue in that vein tonight.

Peter Handscomb ($3,500)

Handscomb has been named in the Stars’ squad and that makes him the perfect batting option to save you some money – which you’ll absolutely need given the cash you’ll probably want to spend elsewhere. Handscomb may even keep again which opens the door for a few catching opportunities. Handscomb is a quality batsman who can now turn his full attention to the Stars. The only downside is he’ll probably bat at six. Even with limited opportunity, he should still provide decent value for money.

Smoky: Marcus Harris ($3,500) – an opening batsman at base price is always a good option. Especially for your flex position.

Avoid: Brad Hodge ($6,400) – the veteran has barely had to do anything with the bat this season so far and with Cam White and Luke Wright priced similarly, they’re both better options.

WICKETKEEPERS

Ben Dunk ($7,800) versus Tim Ludeman ($5,500)

Ludeman bats at eight/nine in this Renegades team and while Dunk hasn’t been in great form, he opens the batting. This is a very easy decision. Just pick Ben Dunk.

Avoid: Seb Gotch ($3,500) – he’s been named in the squad, but it’s quite unlikely he gets a game and even if he does, he’ll probably bat deep in the order.

ALL-ROUNDERS

Dwayne Bravo ($9,600)

The risk you take with Bravo is he hasn’t been given much opportunity with the bat so far in this tournament. However, he’s more than good enough to select on his bowling credentials alone. He’ll cost you a pretty penny, but Bravo remains the best option in this category and he’s a player you probably can’t leave out.

James Faulkner ($7,200)

Faulkner has arguably been in better form with the bat than he has with the ball so far in BBL|07. He’s starting to look like the Faulkner of old again it seems the Stars are consistently backing him to come out and finish off both of their innings’. If you want a cheaper option than Bravo, Faulkner is a very reliable choice who made 34 runs, took one wicket and held a decent economy rate in the two games against the Renegades last season.

Marcus Stoinis ($5,700)

Stoinis is one of those players that’ll either go big and carry the Stars’ innings or he’ll be dismissed quite cheaply. He could be a massive game changer for you if you go with him, but he could also be a flop. It’s very risky, but he’ll also save you some money. He made an unbeaten 18 and took a wicket in his only appearance against the Renegades last season.

BOWLERS

Adam Zampa ($7,400)

Spin has seemingly been king at the MCG so far this season and Zampa has had a steady tournament to date. He’s only taken one wicket across the Stars’ three games, but he’s only conceding eight runs per over and this should be conditions that suit him. He enjoys playing the Renegades, taking four wickets against them last season, including a three wicket haul at only 4.75 runs per over in their last encounter.

Brad Hogg ($7,300)

Hogg has been electric so far this tournament which is ridiculous given he’s about 50 years old. Hogg has taken six wickets from four games and only conceded 6.73 runs per over. This is a man you can rely on to perform every week and is a very safe bowling pick. He took three wickets against the Stars across the two games last year.

Kane Richardson ($6,100)

Richardson has had a strange tournament. He came in as the Renegades’ strike bowler, but he’s only taken the one wicket for the season. However, he’s only conceded 7.25 runs per over and it’s only a matter of time before his good bowling is rewarded with a few wickets. Unfortunately he didn’t play against the Stars for the Strikers last season so we don’t have any recent form to go off.

Smoky: Michael Beer ($6,600) – Beer took three wickets at eight runs per over the last time these two teams played.

Avoid: Scott Boland ($8,000) – Boland is far too expensive to risk picking him at the moment. His form has been poor and he doesn’t do enough to threaten quality batsmen.