The wicket keeper spot looks quite difficult to me.
Wade, Bairstow, Billings, Banton - Not available.
Pooran - unclear but doesn’t sound like he will be available.
Leaves:
Inglis - Should definitely open first few weeks but maybe goes down to 3 if they go with the two English openers? Breakout season last year. Is he worth 160k, especially with no doubles early?
Phillipe - Lock to open. Another young developing player, but seems prone to some lower scores in comparison to Inglis who seems more consistent. Can go massive. But again, 150k? I’d be shocked if he isn’t cheaper prior to his double.
Harper - Has to be some question marks over his spot in the batting order. Does Harris make the 11? He’d be my pick if opening but every chance the gades to Finch/Harris/Marsh/Roussow/Webster. Seems risky - especially playing last round of round 1.
Handscomb/McDermott - Cheap and double early. But where do they bat? If opening or at 3 they seem to be worth the pick, but are they worth it at 4 or 5?
Bancroft - cheap, but for a reason. Does he come in at 3 until Roy/Livo get here or does he still end up further down the order? Not too confident in him.
Gotch/Dunk - early double and re-evaluate? Or is it going a player just because they have a double.
At the moment I’m leaning to whoever is the highest up the order from the Canes, but man it seems slim pickings. That’s just the starter too, the reserve spot ain’t easy either imo.
Great summary
I guess the advantage of starting Phillippe (providing he matches his form of last season) is that it saves you a trade for their DGR in Round 6.
Depending on how many Sixers/Renegades people want that round you could probably bring in 9 in Round 4 - 6.
Just looking at their starting prices
Nabi (should still be here) , Finch , Tahir , Pattinson (Test Squad) , Richardson (?) , Rossouw , Marsh.
Abbott (Test Squad) , Curran , Starc (Test Squad) , Brathwaite , Dwarshuis , Phillippe
are all $ 150k +
Will take some doing to get 8-9 of them.
With the Renegades having Nabi , Rossouw & Webster surely they open with Finch & Marsh.
I am leaning to loopholing McDermott and if that doesn't work playing Gotch/Dunk probably due to their DGR but I can see them creating problems.
With wanting to start Maxwell , Meredith , Short , Stoinis , Zampa + Renshaw/Wells on the bench , I am struggling $$$ wise so in the end I could just go Gotch/Dunk with Nielsen/Holt on the bench
Then aim for Carey Round 3 and turn him into Philippe if necessary.