Just thinking out loud for the benefit (or detriment) of all....
The game at UTAS earlier in the year was rained out, but in the limited overs they played it appeared that it was not a great track for batting, and favoured the quicks over the spinners. This has me settled on my Neser tradein but getting cold feet on Weatherald and Wade. Will probably bring in one of them next round, but probably can’t get both if I don’t get one now.
Considering trading in Christian, but only having one good game all year has me balking. He really took those wickets more due to the intense scoreboard pressure the Thunder were under than his own skill and it will be hard to repeat unless conditions are similar. Plus he will back to being Finch’s red headed step child by the time his DGW comes around and might not get many overs. Really it’s just the price point and low break even, but I’m not that strapped for cash and I’m not sure he’s the best option when I am chasing points.
Miller is interesting. I follow the law of averages in this game, and boy is he due! Surely an international of his reputation cannot fail for every single innings? The luxury here is I can trade a doughnut like Kerr to him for free and keep him on the bench, or an unused benchie like Bancroft to make a quick 50k. he is so cheap I could just loop him during his DGW next round and not lose any potency from my team.
For a Smokey I like Clive Rose. They have really been giving him the push lately, and he has responded with wickets in power plays and generally just outshining international man of mystery Qais. With a DGW game at Marvel it might be a big win for me to have both Canes spinners (already own Ahmad), and he can always find a few extras with the bat if Hobart it for their signature collapse.
Lastly I have been thinking of getting Harper simply because I can loop him off the bench with Philippe for future rounds. Two boom or bust players trying to cover each other’s short comings, I like the philosophy of that. And with some huge names coming back in the next two rounds (Short, Carey, Finch, Richardson) and some DGW must-haves still not in my squad (ABD, Lynn, maybe Mujeeb?), it’s clear that if I don’t pick up a player like Harper now then it just won’t happen at all. He has the potential to be the highest scoring R12 player if he goes off and it would be hard to miss out on that for $120k.