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BBL Fantasy: Eight bowling bargains

Struggling to squeeze everyone inside your Fantasy budget? Check out these options for under $50,000

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Patrick Cummins (Thunder) $48,200

Cummins bags four in Canberra demolition

Having missed the entirety of last season due to injury, you can pick up star Australia paceman Patrick Cummins for the bargain basement price of $48,200 this season. While he's likely to miss the back end of the tournament due to international duty, he looks set to play at least five matches for the Thunder before the ODI series against Pakistan in January. Capable of bowling 150kph thunderbolts, the right-armer is sure to send the zing bails flying this summer and, at this price, is sure to be a popular player in Fantasy land.

Brad Hogg (Renegades) $45,700

January: Going, going, GONE!

One of the biggest trades of the off-season, Brad Hogg represents terrific value at $45,700. His move to a traditionally spin-friendly surface at Etihad Stadium should do wonders for his game, as will teaming up with West Indies spinner Sunil Narine. The two tweakers will be a nightmare bowling in tandem together; Narine with his bag of tricks and Hogg with his famous wrong 'un that is still impossible to pick.

Johan Botha (Sixers) $45,400

Highlights of Botha's handy cameo

A new Australian citizen, South African-born Johan Botha has been a solid performer in the BBL for many years now. Equally as valuable with the bat as he is with the ball, the veteran is in some serious form too - in a recent club game in Sydney, he smashed a 45-ball century with the bat having earlier taken five wickets with the ball, including a hat-trick!

Josh Lalor (Heat) $42,000

Lalor snags two poles with searing yorkers

In a disappointing season for the Heat in BBL|05, left-armer Josh Lalor was a steady performer and should be a key player for them again this year in a squad that lacks a genuine pace-bowling star. While he didn't pick up many wickets last season, Lalor's skidding bowling and clever changes of pace were rewarded with a very healthy economy rate and he represents good value in Fantasy land.

Fawad Ahmed (Thunder) $40,500

Fawad's fantastic five skittles Redbacks

Having played all 10 matches for the Thunder in their title-winning run last season, Fawad will return this season with a point to prove. Having been left out of Victoria's side for most of this summer, the leggie will be itching to strut his stuff on the big stage once again. His numbers from last summer were underwhelming for Fantasy players - hence his low price - but we're expecting him to be a much better buy this time around.

Jon Holland (Strikers) $33,600

Holland bags another five in Hobart

The form spinner in Australia right now, Holland is the second-highest wicket-taker in Shield cricket with 27 at 18 and appears to be at the top of his game. He averaged just 22 Fantasy points per game last season, but with star legspinner Adil Rashid on international duty this summer, the main spin duties at the Strikers will fall to the left-armer.

Jack Wildermuth (Heat) $20,000

Wildermuth falls narrowly short of century

He's yet to even make his Big Bash League debut, but powerful Queensland allrounder Jack Wildermuth is an absolute steal at $20,000 - if the Heat give him a game. While the 23-year-old has performed strongly for the Bulls in Shield cricket, he's yet to represent his state in a white-ball game and is far from a certain starter in the Heat's best XI. Treat with caution, but if you take a punt on him and he plays, he represents great value. 

D'Arcy Short (Hurricanes) $20,000

A sneaky little pick-up for Fantasy players; Short is predominantly a big-hitting batsman, but is also classified as a bowler due to his ability to bowl handy left-arm spin. A powerful left-hander, Short was Hobart's 18th player signed on for this season so is not guaranteed a spot in the XI. But with the departures of big hitters Ben Dunk and Darren Sammy in the off-season, the Canes may turn to Short as an x-factor in their side.


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