The wicketkeeper position has become a major conundrum with Josh Inglis’ Test squad call-up threatening his availability, along with the Stars’ early import exchange.
Earlier this week, the Stars confirmed the signing of Joe Clarke to replace Ben Duckett for the first 2 games of BBL|14, namely the Stars’ double.
That is relevant for two reasons, the impact on $58k Sam Harper who is the most popular wicketkeeper but likely doesn’t play with Clarke in.
But also given Clarke may depart as soon as he came, and Duckett will arrive after Test duty in time for Round 2 and their Round 3 double, it’s awkward to pick Clarke. He’s also priced up at $117k, so it’s not really a one-round play.
Then there’s Inglis, who is the third most owned wicketkeeper with a Scorchers double in sight in Round 2. His shock Test squad call-up doesn’t fully rule him out of Round 1 or 2, given he’s unlikely to be in the first Test XI.
The third Test is the one that clashes with the start of BBL, but if Inglis is retained in the squad and not released, then he’ll miss games.
Sixers’ gloveman Josh Philippe is popular with 29.6% ownership at $132k but doesn’t have a double until Round 3, while Gades recruit Tim Seifert has a Round 1 double but comes in at an expensive $152k for an unknown commodity having never played BBL so it’s a big gamble.
The smokie could be little-known Englishman Matthew Hurst at $117k who Perth signed as wicketkeeper cover for Inglis. He could step in for Inglis if he’s out and bat in the top 4.
Hurst averaged 36.5 SC points from 6 games in The Hundred mostly opening for the Manchester Originals and 29.4 SC points in 12 Blast games batting mostly 4-6 for Lancashire. It’s hard to see him opening for Perth with Finn Allen and Keaton Jennings signed for that purpose.
We can’t forget Adelaide have a Round 2 double but Alex Carey is unavailable on Test duty and his replacement Ollie Pope is also out on England duty, so Harry Nielsen starts by default. He’s $58k but cheap for a reason. He’s barely averaged above 20 SC points in his career, so fade him.
Many will pick Hobart’s Jake Doran at $39k, currently 31.6% ownership, as non-playing player or nuff to loop given he’s unlikely to play.
Beyond that, this is tough going on knowing who to start, so we asked HB experts Nathan Scoble and Nathan from SuperCoach Guns.
“Initially I was very much on the Seifert and Doran train, but then I was tempted by the Harper and Doran combo to enable cash to come through in other areas.
“With the recent signing of Joe Clarke to the Stars to cover Duckett he’s going to be my keeper, although he’s frustratingly been priced a bit above his BBL average.
“I expect a lot to run with Inglis although he may not be available but if he is, then he’s also in contention.
“For me it’s out of 3 keepers, and a nuff on the bench. Clarke, Inglis and Seifert in that order.”
“You know the position is grim when a bloke who isn’t in his side’s best XI is the most interesting option in the position, but more on that later. With all of the spots in my side, I’ll be looking at players that meet at least 2 of these 3 criteria:
- a double game round (DGR) in the first 3 rounds,
- they have a role which is conducive to SC points,
- they are under $100k
“Applying this at WKP, will then leave me with a few options – Joe Clarke, Tim Seifert, Josh Philippe, Tom Alsop, Jimmy Pierson and Matthew Hurst.
“Now of these 6, 3 of them play their double in Round 3, so let’s knock them out for the sake of it, leaving Clarke, Seifert and Hurst.
“Then, I apply my price criteria, which would knock them all out. So for the sake of it, I’ll order them by price: Clarke, Hurst.
“Hurst is a top 4 bat at $117.5k and will get a go in the likely event that Inglis isn’t released from Test duties. Clarke immediately plays the double, but also immediately must be traded as he won’t play after Round 2.
“Therefore, I land at Matthew Hurst as my favourite WKP option to start as he isn’t a forced trade in round 2, which is shaping up to be a BIG moving round.”
