BBL Moneyball preview: Brisbane Heat versus Hobart Hurricanes

Two teams still fighting for spots in the BBL07 finals collide tonight at the Gabba and this game shapes up as one with a lot of Moneyball value.

Using a slightly different format, let’s break down the best options for your Moneyball line-up from tonight’s match between the Hobart Hurricanes and the Brisbane Heat.

BATSMEN RANKINGS

This is a ranking of the top five batsmen in this match factoring in cost, form, batting order and previous form against the opponent if applicable.

 

1. Brendon McCullum ($9,500)

The Brisbane captain is always worth the money and will have extra weight on his shoulders without Chris Lynn. He made 72 from 35 balls the last time these teams met.

2. D’Arcy Short ($6,700)

Short has hit consecutive 90’s and is in ripping form, but can he do it outside of Tasmania? He’s tempting at that price and rightly the number two seed here, but maybe the smart move is leaving him out tonight as most people will pick him.

3. Joe Burns ($5,300)

Burns has been in fantastic form and should get more batting with Lynn out. That price is also very favourable.

4. Alex Ross ($4,800)

Essentially the same as above.

5. George Bailey ($5,700)

Bailey made 13 before being run out the last time these teams played, but the Hurricanes skipper is usually a pretty safe pick.

WICKETKEEPER RANKINGS

1. Matthew Wade ($4,100)

Wade was finally moved up the order by the Hurricanes and it immediately paid off for them. Expect him to remain there from now on and produce at a decent rate. He’s great value for money here.

2. Jimmy Peirson ($3,500)

Peirson will probably return to opening the batting with Lynn out and is just as good a pick as Wade. Honestly, you could really pick both of these guys with one in your flex spot and it’d probably work well.

ALL-ROUNDER RANKINGS

1. Dan Christian ($8,500)

Christian is a bit expensive, but he should at least get his four overs and some late order hitting if required. He’s slightly above Cutting just because he’s more likely to perform with both bat and ball.

2. Ben Cutting ($6,400)

Cutting took a wicket but didn’t get the chance to bat the last time these teams met. He’s risky though as the Heat don’t tend to give him his overs and there’s no guarantee he bats.

3. Simon Milenko ($5,400)

Milenko isn’t a bad option by any means, but it really depends on how many overs he gets. At this stage he’s just a bit too unreliable in terms of how the team uses  him.

BOWLER RANKINGS

1. Yasir Shah ($6,800)

Shah made an immediate impact for the Heat in his first game and should continue in that vein here. At that price he’s great value too.

2. Jofra Archer ($6,600)

Archer is also fantastic value for money and has been one of the best fast bowlers in the tournament so far. It’d be hard not to pick him.

3. Mitchell Swepson ($7,500)

Swepson has emerged as one of the toughest bowlers to face in this tournament and is usually a safe bet for decent economy rate and a wicket or two.

4. Mark Steketee ($8,500)

Steketee took two wickets at 7.25 runs per over the last time these teams met and if the players above him weren’t such good value for money, he’d be higher on this list.

5. Cameron Boyce ($5,000)

Boyce has done an excellent job so far and spin has been very effective at the Gabba so far this season. At that price, he’d be a handy flex option.

 

Good luck!