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Cheat sheet: BBL Fantasy guide
We would all love to stack our team with the best players from each franchise, but the salary cap of $1,000,000 means we have to be shrewd with our selections.
We need to select seven batsmen, seven bowlers and two wicketkeepers in our fantasy squads and it is important to get the balance right.
To help all those latecomers to the Fantasy game, we’ve broken each category into three different price groups and offered a few pointers to help those in need prior to tonight’s round one lockout.
The premium players are priced at $80,000 or higher, the mid-pricers are between $51,000 and $79,000 and the cash cows are less than $50,000.
As a guide we suggest you choose the following, just to ensure you don't spend more than the allowed $1,000,000 salary cap:
Batsmen
Two Premiums
Three Mid-Pricers
Two Cash Cows
Bowlers
Two Premiums
Three Mid-Pricers
Two Cash Cows
Keepers
One Premium/Mid-Pricer
One Cash Cow
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Every Fantasy manager has their own favourite players, but for those who need a hand we have a few suggestions for each category.
Fantasy players should choose their squads carefully as they are restricted to just 21 trades during the tournament and it is important to remember that some players will miss parts of BBL|05 due to international commitments.
So take a look at our suggestions below and let us help you assemble a squad that is good enough to beat all your mates and win bragging rights for the rest of the summer.
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Batsmen
Premiums – Jacques Kallis (102,700), Chris Gayle ($88,900), Kumar Sangakkara ($88,900), Lendl Simmons ($88,900), Mahela Jayawardene ($86,900)
Mid-Pricers – Kevin Pietersen ($77,600), Michael Klinger ($73,500), Shane Watson ($73,500), Chris Lynn ($70,100), Michael Lumb ($67,000)
Cash Cows – Luke Wright ($49,600), Cameron White ($45,400), Alex Ross ($31,100), Marcus Stoinis ($30,000), Jake Lehmann ($20,000)
There is so much international talent on display at BBL|05 and it is unfortunate that you can't choose all the batting stars.
Jacques Kallis (102,700), Chris Gayle ($88,900) and Kumar Sangakkara ($88,900) are sure to be popular among Fantasy players, while West Indian Lendl Simmons ($88,900) could be the find of the summer if he can replicate his IPL form from earlier this year.
Consistent performers Chris Lynn ($70,100) and Michael Lumb ($67,000) are well priced and worth including, while Marcus Stoinis ($30,000) looks to be the bargain buy of BBL|05 if we go on the form he has already displayed this summer.
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Bowlers
Premiums – John Hastings ($99,300), Andre Russell ($88,900), Adil Rashid ($87,600), Andrew Tye ($86,000), Ben Laughlin (82,500)
Mid-Pricers – Johan Botha ($76,000), Gurinder Sandhu ($73,900), David Willey ($60,800), Scott Boland ($60,300), Xavier Doherty ($53,700)
Cash Cows – Jon Holland ($42,100), Daniel Worrall ($42,100), Andrew Fekete ($30,000), Alister McDermott ($30,000), Joel Paris ($20,000)
No one took more wickets in BBL|04 than John Hastings ($99,300), while Andrew Tye ($86,000) was the find of the tournament and is expected to perform well again.
Imports Andre Russell ($88,900) and Adil Rashid ($87,600) are certainly bowlers to keep an eye out for, but if you don't want to break the bank then we have a few cash cows to include.
No spinner bowled better than Jon Holland ($42,100) during the Matador Cup in September, while Andrew Fekete ($30,000) and Joel Paris ($20,000) have been in good form for the Tigers and Warriors respectively already this season.
WATCH: Who will win BBL|05?
Keepers
Premiums/Mid-Pricers – Tim Ludeman ($78,200), Peter Handscomb ($72,300), Brad Haddin ($65,400), Ben Dunk ($65,400), Matthew Wade ($56,100)
Cash Cows – James Peirson ($48,100), Sam Whiteman ($38,200), Peter Nevill ($30,000), Chris Hartley ($30,000), Sam Harper ($20,000)
Tim Ludeman ($78,200) finished as the seventh leading run-scorer in BBL|04 and is sure to have plenty of admirers as first choice keeper this year.
Stars youngster Peter Handscomb ($72,300) is another one worth considering, while former Test star Brad Haddin ($65,400) could well prove to be a bargain now that his international career is over.
Wicketkeeping Cash Cows who appear to be good value include James Peirson ($48,100), Sam Whiteman ($38,200) and veteran Chris Hartley ($30,000).
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Club-by-club BBL Fantasy guides