Selecting the bowlers for your fantasy Ashes side is very important, and like each role in the side, there is very little margin for error.
Coaches should be looking for strike bowlers who take bags of wickets, and not necessarily economically elite. That's because there's a 20 point bonus for each wicket taken, but only a flat economy rate bonus (with a max of 20 points). There is no deduction in points for being a bit too expensive.
Coaches should be looking for strike bowlers who take bags of wickets, and not necessarily economically elite. That's because there's a 20 point bonus for each wicket taken, but only a flat economy rate bonus (with a max of 20 points). There is no deduction in points for being a bit too expensive.
Batting ability can also come into the equation when selecting your bowlers, as all contributions count towards the total score, regardless of role in the side. For example, if you can't choose between two bowlers, factor in who will score the most points with the bat, and you'll get the most from your players. A big 16% of Graeme Swann's points came from batting stats, whereas James Anderson only managed 5%. If he doesn't get wickets, he'll score poorly.
For these reasons, I'll be seriously looking at left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson. His form has been good and he's almost certain to play the first test at Brisbane. Whether or not you agree with his fashion sense is irrelevant, because when he is 'on' he can decimate the world's best batting attacks, like he did in 2008.
If you decide you want a spinner, Graeme Swann is the stand-out selection by an absolute mile. Nothing against Nathan Lyon, who is a solid contributor and a brilliant catch- he just doesn't have the job security that Swann has. You feel like he's only one bad match from being dropped. And of course, Swann was the top scorer in the Sportal Fantasy Competition in the last series in England. Out of all players he was the only player to get to 800 points. A super effort.
For these reasons, I'll be seriously looking at left-arm seamer Mitchell Johnson. His form has been good and he's almost certain to play the first test at Brisbane. Whether or not you agree with his fashion sense is irrelevant, because when he is 'on' he can decimate the world's best batting attacks, like he did in 2008.
If you decide you want a spinner, Graeme Swann is the stand-out selection by an absolute mile. Nothing against Nathan Lyon, who is a solid contributor and a brilliant catch- he just doesn't have the job security that Swann has. You feel like he's only one bad match from being dropped. And of course, Swann was the top scorer in the Sportal Fantasy Competition in the last series in England. Out of all players he was the only player to get to 800 points. A super effort.
| My other must-have is Ryan Harris - the way he manfully bowled and executed plans against high quality batsmen was top notch. Assuming he stays on the park, wickets are also a certainty. He's very versatile, he can snare scalps with the new ball, during the in-between overs and when it is reverse-swinging. He's not fussy - a typical no-nonsense quickie. |
Stuart Broad was classified as an All-Rounder during the last Ashes and is likely to be again. That leaves Peter Siddle, James Anderson, Chris Tremlett and Nathan Lyon as the other candidates. That being said, Steve Finn or Boyd Rankin could still be selected for the Brisbane test. But it's a toss up between Siddle and Anderson for me. Tremlett's bowling suits Australian pitches but he's in poor form.
Who are your four bowlers going to be? Let us know in the comments, and if you enjoyed this article, please share with your mates!
Who are your four bowlers going to be? Let us know in the comments, and if you enjoyed this article, please share with your mates!