Bargain Buys – These below players could provide the most value for money and are a must inclusion in your squad. They could be a useful inclusion in your squad if you are also wanting to find a way to get the big superstars in!
Richard Wilson WK (£3.5m)
Having been marked as a WK, the pitch doctor Richard Wilson (£3.5m) could be the ultimate bargain of the season. A potential return to his favored #4 position could see him return to his 2022 run total (383 @23.9). Couple this with the prospect of multiple catches per game or alternatively a few cheeky wickets with his part-time spin and he could easily be the games top scorer. Additionally, he will be eager to show that there is life in the old dog as he continues his quest to be GBCC all-time leading run scorer.
Owen Garland AR (£3m)
An ever-improving all-rounder, Owen Garland (£3m) could provide useful runs by taking the attack to the opposition as well as regular wickets with his bustling action in what could be his first full season of regular adult cricket after exam season is finished. He also displayed his leadership skills with the U15s last year and could potentially be a vital cog in the 2/3rd teams this summer.
Prize Busts/Flops – Include these players at your own risk! Whilst they could return decent scoring potential, the price tag is rather expensive and could be hinder your overall point total.
Richard Wyatt BAT (£5.5m)
Could this veteran be a victim of his own success from his late 2023 season form inflating his price? 2023 saw a return of regular cricket (over 10 games) for the first time in 10 years and his run tally improved week by week. However, with only one string to his bow, he could struggle to score regular bowling/fielding points so could leave you high and dry on the weeks where he doesn’t score.
Stephen Woolf BAT (£5m)
Whilst the bust/flop title could be rather harsh, it is purely down to how injury prone Mr Woolf is. With hamstrings as tight as elastic bands, he could spend the entire season on the physio table so definitely comes with a buyer beware notice! However, he could be a week-by-week play due to scoring a run a ball 50 last year in his only innings.
Sleeper Picks – These players might not be obvious and could be an under-the-radar addition to your squad providing you with a differential to other players.
Paras Jinturker AR (£5m)
Whilst the price tag may not indicate a true sleeper pick, his all-round capability could provide useful points. He will hope to kick on with his run scoring as he was regularly getting starts and getting into the teens before finding ways to get out. But, his wicket taking ability with his delightful spin could bag the most points, with 12 league wickets last term at a strike rate of 20 balls.
Hadi Shaikh BOWL (£1.5m)
Another mystery spinner that could be a vital figure in the 2/3 teams this summer once exam season is finished. His ability to bamboozle opposition will either result in wickets or very economical bowling as evidenced by his returns last summer with 10 wickets @ 11.3 at an economy rate of 3.4. A very underpriced option that could rise once peak summer hits.
By Callum