Hmm, looks like picking a starting side might not be that easy this year. Having a couple of all-rounders who can be relied upon to score well whether they have a double or not is generally an important part of the game and they might not be so easy to find this season.
Stoinis and Short look a bit too overpriced and neither is necessarily the class of player to dominate consistently from season to season either. Curran's DGW makes him an easy selection but I wouldn't bet on him backing up his batting performance from last season.
Russell could struggle to bowl 4 overs consistently, Nabi might remain a bit-part player with bat and ball, Sams might continue his reversion from the second half of last season.
Morris looks like he's well underpriced but will he miss the first DGW?
For mine Mitch Marsh looks like the most likely to reliably bat high and bowl 3-4 overs, the Scorchers have lost a lot recently. Of course that's assuming he doesn't continue to under-perform in short form cricket as he has for quite a while.
When it comes to cheapies I don't see any that can be banked on to make much cash. Green's looked Jason Holder-eque recently and could be a great pick if his form translates. It doesn't always for young players.
I think Harris would be lucky to be picked every game for the Gades or the Victorian one-day side if he wasn't around the test squad, he's just not a good short form player.
Sutherland lacks exposed form with the bat, could be a decent prospect with the ball if he plays. Problem is that Wildermuth's been in good form recently, I doubt Sutherland gets picked every game.
Jewell looks like the most likely to be a good pick if he opens.
Heazlett hasn't generated much interest which is a bit odd, he scored 50+ in all his one-day innings for QLD before getting injured. I've talked him up before though and he hasn't done much yet beyond the odd innings. If he doesn't do much early look for him to open with Bryant after Banton leaves, they had a good combo going in the one day cup.
The ~80k players don't offer much either. Steketee's in decent form but is pretty inconsistent.
Paris gets talked up every season for fantasy even though he's done very little when he has played in the BBL. Also far form certain to play regularly.
Wes Agar's my pick. He'll take plenty of wickets if he bowls like he has recently and should be a lock now that Laughlin's gone.
Alex HALES
BBL|02 (Renegades)
2 games [147,30]
89 (52); 5x4's, 8x6's
20 (15); 3x4's, 1x6's
BBL|03 (Strikers)
8 games [90,24,49,9,8,60,3,54]
49 (19); 9x4's, 1x6's
16 (11); 3x4's, 0x6's
31 (20); 5x4's, 1x6's
8 (10); 1x4's, 0x6's
5 (3); 1x4's, 0x6's
31 (19); 3x4's, 2x6's
3 (7); 0x4's, 0x6's
32 (25); 1x4's, 2x6's
BBL|04 (Hurricanes)
5 games [0,1,37,49,8]
0 (2); 0x4's, 0x6's
1 (4); 0x4's, 0x6's
29 (24); 1x4's, 1x6's
34 (23); 2x4's, 1x6's
7 (7); 1x4's, 0x6's
Fawad Ahmed
51 BBL Matches (45 Wickets)
Spotless Stadium - 17 matches (22 wickets)
Adelaide Oval - 3 matches (1)
Blundstone Arena - 4 matches (3)
Marvel Stadium - 6 matches (5)
Gabba - 3 matches (0)
Launceston - 1 match (2)
MCG - 4 matches (2)
Metricon - 2 matches (1)
Manuka Oval - 2 matches (1)
SCG - 7 matches (8)
WACA - 2 matches (0)
I'm tempted by Hales' price, but I really don't rate him at all- especially in Australian conditions. Not sure what the Thunder were thinking picking him up honestly.