Anybody else still holding Gilkes? Congratulations to you on your patience. Over the last couple of rounds, the Ulladulla-born wicketkeeping opener from the Thunder has produced solid scores, averaging 77 over his last three games.
Written by Andrew Scudamore (Follow him on Twitter)
Unfortunately, like many, I also started with Josh Inglis and, more recently, brought Josh Phillipe into my side during the Sixers double round. This has meant that the Gilkes’ scores have largely gone untouched, sitting dormant on my bench and unable to be looped in. Time to fix that!
With Round 6 in the rear-view mirror, and an eye in the upcoming Sixers and ‘Canes double, coaches should be looking to bring in the likes of players from these teams, most notably the latter if you already own a few Sixers. Cue the role of Gilkes. While it has been frustrating to not access his points recently, his cash generation has been superb. The obvious move would be to move him on to a player such as Wade or McDermott. But there’s more to consider….
Matthew Wade (Hobart Hurricanes)
If you already have Wade, well done to you as he produced big-time in his return match from suspension last round. This means his BE is now low, so if you want to save yourself some coin, it is best to get on him now. He isn’t cheap, but we all know he is a genuine match-winner and someone you’d not want to see in your opponent’s team (Remember- do what your opponent’s would least want you to do).
Ben McDermott (Hobart Hurricanes)
McDermott is crest-fallen after a slow start to the season. Having started at just under $200k this season, he will represent value coming in to the Hurricanes Round 8 double. I’d be waiting a week first, prioritising Wade if you can afford him, as McDermott’s BE is 122 and you are a good chance of picking him up for well under $130k next week.
Joe Clarke (Melbourne Stars)
For coaches planning well ahead, Clarke has a double in Round 9. Of the current crop of Big Bash wicket-keeper openers, he is right up there with the best in my opinion. He also has a solid record against the Hurricanes and Adelaide, his Round 9 opponents, averaging 66 and 73.5 against them respectively and having played them two occasions. Those are juicy numbers and he is definitely one to monitor.
Josh Philippe (Sydney Sixers)
Many of us already have him in our side due to to Sixers’ Round 5 double. He has another double in Round 8 so if you didn’t already get him, consider it. While he hasn’t lit up the competition like he has previously, he is still averaging nearly 60 for the year. Solid!
Baxter Holt (Sydney Thunder)
This is where it gets interesting. Gilkes’ success for the Thunder has shut the door on Holt’s chances of a call-up anytime soon. Gilkes is currently a tick under $130k with a low BE of 12. Although you’d back Gilkes to make more cash this round, I feel he is nearing his peak. Holt is only $81.2k. That’s a difference of over $48k! It gets better…..If, like me, you’ve been unable to loop the wicketkeeping spot recently, the Thunder play the most later-round games of all teams in the last 7 rounds of the competition. Looking at the draw the Thunder play, on average, the fourth game in each of the remaining rounds. In summary, moving Gilkes to Holt opens up a sure-fire loop opportunity! If you bring in Holt with one of the previously mentioned guns, you get a free look at them before committing to their score.
My team, Scud’s Duds, are currently lurking back in 595th, having not nailed a single captaincy call this year. The Duds followed a similar trajectory last year before I jumped into the Top 50 in the final round. If, like me, you’ve got good cash generation and most of the big guns already in your team, is not too late to make an impact. Back yourself!
