Game 1 - The Qualifier
Hobart Hurricanes vs. Sydney Sixers
Game 2 - The Knockout
Sydney Thunder vs. Melbourne Stars
BBL 14 Finals
The BBL 14 Finals kick off tonight, marking the penultimate round of the GDS Aus Cricket season (Round 10). As always, we’re chasing a round win, but with just two rounds remaining, the big question is:Do you play it safe or take risks knowing that the top 5 in each of the four GDS competitions will earn an inaugural Aus Cricket Prize Card (PC)?
Prize Cards
Coaches can win only one PC per season. If you place in the top 5 more than once, your additional finishes are rewarded with $100 worth of GDS packs, and the PC for that position is awarded to the next-ranked coach.
As of now, there are 8 duplicate coaches in the top 20 PC positions. This means a top 7 finish could secure you a PC. But with two rounds left, the standings could change!For more details, check out this guide on Prize Cards.
Safest Team for BBL 14 Finals: Should You Play It Safe?
Below is a snapshot of the highest averaging players in each position heading into this round (among players expected to play).
For the GDS Leaderboards in both Starter and Champion leagues, the competition leaders are currently 200+ points ahead. If I were them, I’d stick with a safe squad and focus on locking in a Prize Card—and, of course, some well-deserved bragging rights.
For everyone else, whether you’re targeting a round win or climbing the overall ladder (why not both?), stepping away from the highest-averaging team might be the smarter move. Let’s dive into the strategies.
My GameDay Strategy
Here’s how I plan my squad:
Review team squads: Check the 13 or 14 players named.
Watch for omissions and double games: Look for players who could get extra game exposure.
Assess ground and venue trends: Consider home team advantages.
Check the weather forecast.
Wait for the Final XI: Then adjust my team accordingly.
Ground Trends
Game 1: Ninja Stadium, Hobart
Home Team Dominance: Hobart is undefeated at home, chasing 4 times with an average of 4.25 wickets lost.
Key First-Innings Stats:
Average batting score: 164
Average wickets lost: 6
Only two players have scored 50+ in the first innings: Warner and Bethell.
Takeaways:
Fade Sixers bowlers if Hobart bats second.
Consider Hurricanes’ all-rounders (top 6) for both runs and wickets.
Game 2: Engie Stadium, Sydney
Batting First Advantage: Teams batting first average 159, while teams batting second average 136 with 7.67 wickets lost.
Takeaways:
Prioritize batters from the first innings.
Consider two bowlers for the second innings.
Player Possibilities
Wicket Keeper Options
Candidates: Wade, Harper, Philippe, Billings, Gilkes
Tip: Go with Billings for his high batting order and potential for keeper points.
Batter Options
Candidates: Warner, Jewell, David, McDermott, Patterson, Cartwright
Tip: Field a second wicketkeeper and lock in Warner.
POD: Consider Patterson for a unique edge.
All-Rounder Options
Candidates: Maxwell, Stoinis, Curran, Green, Owen, Chaudhary, Jordan, Edwards, Henriques, Kerr
Tip: Chaudhary offers high value across batting and bowling.
POD: Henriques is a high-risk, high-reward choice.
Bowler Options
Candidates: Steketee, Dwarshuis, Ellis, Meredith, Paris, Mir
Tip: Steketee is a reliable choice, but Paris could be a strong POD option.
Classic and Challenger Team Tips
For Classic leagues, stack your higher rarity cards in the all-rounder positions.For Challenger leagues, prioritize your all-rounders and bowlers.
Final Thoughts
Enjoy the added thrill of managing your GDS team while watching the BBL Finals. Take a chance on a POD (Point of Difference) player or stick to the safe route—either way, make it fun!
Game Trends: How do you see each game playing out?Comment your predictions for the highest team scores in order, and the first correct guess will win a 3-Player Unique Global Cricket Pack.
Example:
Game 2 (2nd Innings)
Game 1 (2nd Innings)
Game 1 (1st Innings)
Game 2 (1st Innings)
Cheers guys
Stealth
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