Moneyball9 Fantasy Guide: Australia v South Africa, Match 7

Today’s MoneyBall9 Fantasy guide is for the seventh match of the Tri-Series contested between South Africa and Australia at The Kensington Oval in Bridgetown, Barbados.

At the moment, each team has played four matches, winning and losing two apiece. This is also perhaps for the first time in Tri-Series history that a similarity between teams is witnessed. However, courtesy of some audacious victory margins, and of course the net run rate, South Africa find themselves atop the points table.

The final ODI of the Tri-Series at Basseterre saw the record boards take a pounding with Hashim Amla’s 110 and Imran Tahir’s 7/45. The 139-run win margin for the Proteas has now seen them scale the improbable summit in the series.

Now, their assignment sees them facing off against the might Australians at Barbados, the venue that will host the final of the series. For both teams, this is an extremely important fixture, especially given the threat, the West Indies carry in their home conditions. With just three matches to be played, this could also very well mean the last time these two sides meet in the current tournament.

While we await this mouthwatering contest between the two at Barbados, we first need to take a quick look at the Moneyball9 Fantasy guide.

That said, Let’s get to business now!

Australia v South Africa

Batsmen

It is always a difficult thing to pick batsmen of the same class as the next playing for two different countries. Moreover, what adds to the conundrum is the fact that Moneyball9 offers you a fixed salary cap. If a stock of the batsmen in the squad is taken, then names like AB de Villiers, David Warner, and Steve Smith pop up. With just four slots for batsmen and a budget to work with, I have picked both skippers Steven Smith and AB de Villiers. These two players have been picked solely on their ability irrespective of their captaincy performances.

The hardest decision made was to leave out the returning David Warner. However, the very fact that I have decided to go in with Imran Tahir and Tabraiz Shamsi rules out the possibility of including the opener on the side.

Hashim Amla’s 110 in the previous match against the West Indies made it an easy choice to pick him while Usman Khawaja’s form as well as his price compared to Faf du Plessis. Moreover, Khawaja’s ability to score at least 50 runs comes as an insurance for the loose cannon du Plessis.

Wicketkeeper

Yet another selection tussle as de Villiers’ wicketkeeping skills come into play allowing us to pick him as a wicket-keeper as opposed to a batsman. Quinton de Kock would be a good choice for the Keeper’s role. However, his batting in the series has been somewhat subdued while Matthew Wade seldom bats. In spite of his Price tag, AB de Villiers is perhaps the best and most viable option.

All-Rounder

I have opted to go in with Chris Morris. Although the South African management has opted to think differently and go in with Wayne Parnell, Chris Morris has performed well for the opportunities he has been given. Moreover, his ability to clock high speeds with the ball as well as make an impact with the bat is simply amazing

Bowlers

Mitchell Starc, Imran Tahir, and Tabraiz Shamsi make the cut for me in the bowlers. While the inclusion of Imran Tahir is definitely justified, Mitchell Starc will certainly be expected to make an impact. Having been benched in the previous match, Starc will definitely play this one against the Proteas. Tabraiz Shamsi picks up the important wickets at important intervals, thereby making his selection imminent.

Flex Player

While many would pick an all-rounder to be the flex or flexible player in the starting lineup, I have chosen to go with Australian leg-spinner Adam Zampa. With spin playing such a massive role, it is a good choice for some.

Happy team picking!

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