The 606v2 Ultimate Points Chaser Competition for the 70th Ashes Series

First topic message reminder :

With the opening Ashes Test only around a week away I thought we should get an Ashes competition underway – similar to the ones we did way back in 2011 and 2009 on the old BBC site. I thought they were pretty good fun with around 30 people involved at the time.

I'm trying to rekindle that sort of interest.        


Rules:

1.
Pick 2 (two) batsmen and 2 (two) bowlers from both Australia and England who you think will score the most runs and take the most wickets.
You get both batting and bowling points per innings so a bowler who scores runs has both batting and bowling scores added together.

e.g.
Warner, Smith, Starc, Lyon
Cook, Root, Broad, Ali

2.
Pick 1 (one) fielder from each team; excluding wicket keepers for most catches in the Series.
Can be a bowler (for c&b) if you want.

e.g.
Woakes, Handscomb

3.
Select the total number of catches, stumpings and run outs combined by each wicket keeper for each Test.
I will need your 2 (two) selected numbers in 24 hours prior to commencement of each Test match.
If a wicket keeper is injured then the replacement keeper's figures shall be used.

e.g.
Australia 9, England 8. Total dismissals 17

4.
Predict the overall 2017-18 Ashes Series result. Selections must be in before the commencement of each Test.

e.g.
Australia 3 England 2

1st Test: England
2nd Test: Australia
3rd Test: England
4th Test: Australia
5th Test: Australia


Scoring:

1.
1 point for every run scored by your nominated batsmen. Add together for each Test.
Bonus 20 points for 100 runs.
extra 25 points for 150 runs.
extra 40 points for 200 runs.
extra 50 points for 250 runs.
extra 60 bonus points for 300+ runs.

Note: the batting & bowling score bonuses accumulate so;

Batting:
100 runs = 120 points. A player scores 127 + 20 = 147 points.
150 runs = 195 points. A player scores 176 + 20 + 25 = 221 points.
200 runs = 285 points. A player scores 243 + 20 + 25 + 40 = 328 points.
250 runs = 385 points. A player scores 282 + 20 + 25 + 40 + 50 = 417 points
300+ runs = 445 points. A player scores 309 + 20 + 25 + 40 + 50 + 60 = 504 points.

Bowling:
20 points per wicket with a bonus 50 points for a 5-fer.
An extra 35 points for 6-fer, 40 for 7-fer, 45 for 8-fer, 50 for 9-fer.
An extra 100 bonus points for a 10-fer.

5 wickets = 100 + 50 = 150 points
6 wickets = 120 + 50 + 35 = 205 points.
7 wickets = 140 + 50 + 35 + 40 = 265 points
8 wickets = 160 + 50 + 35 + 40 + 45 = 330 points
9 wickets = 180 + 50 + 35 + 40 + 45 + 50 = 400 points
10 wickets = 200 + 50 + 35 + 40 + 45 + 50 + 100 = 520 points

Caught and bowled = 20 points for the wicket + 30 bonus points for the catch = 50 points on top of the bowling points.
An extra 25 points if your bowler gets a run-out in addition to the caught & bowled = 75 points

2.
Fielder catches: your nominated fieldsman earns you 25 points per catch. 25 points for a run out. Add them both for a 50 point "double play".

3.
Wicket keepers: I’ll rank your predictions from the actual scores at the time. Whoever guesses closest to the actual result receives 100 points, then descending down 5 points, so 95 points for the next closest guess, 90 points for the next, etc. If you chose the same scores as another member… then you'll both receive the same points. Next closest then receives 85, 80, 75, 70... depending on how many of us there are. 

4.
50 points earned at each Test in line with your overall Ashes prediction. Keep earning those 50 points until it goes right down to the wire…
If you guess all 5 correctly then a further 100 bonus points = 250 + 100 = 350 points.
Select the winning team for each Test.

*****

I’ll add up everyone’s scores a day or so after each Ashes Test is completed.

You must have your selections in no later than 3 hours before the first ball is bowled in Brisbane on 23 November, a few hours before midnight next Wednesday/Thursday morning your time.

If a selected player gets injured or is dropped from the Test side, then you’ll have the opportunity to select a replacement player – before the next Test commences. This player doesn’t have to be the actual substitute player – it can be somebody already in the team.
However, you don’t receive any of their previous points – you must start accumulating points from scratch with them.

I'm tossing up with the idea that say by the 3rd Test, if someone wants to change a player, then they will have this window of opportunity also available to them.

Let me know if the scoring system is OK or needs to be tweaked or simplified then we can look at it.
I'll keep track on a spreadsheet... so starting thinking about your selections now and maybe start getting them in here by early-middle next week.

Good Luck!

Just catching up with some of the highlights. A double whammy for me as my fielder and normally safe pair of hands Smith spills Cook off the bowling of my wildcard Mitch Marsh!

Standings after Day 2, 4th Test, Melbourne:

3585 superflyweight
3572 Dolphin Ziggler
3545 compelling and rich
3532 Caledonian Craig
3476 Duty281
3349 alfie
3343 Lowlandbrit
3321 James100
3314 guildfordbat
3279 The Loaded Dog
3275 Marky
3249 Mad for Chelsea
3205 Azzy Mahmood
3127 Gooseberry
3117 Fernando
3013 jimbohammers
2791 LionsV2
2778 Good Golly I'm Olly
2728 JDizzle
2636 wisden

Average Score: 3212

guildfordbat wrote:Just catching up with some of the highlights. A double whammy for me as my fielder and normally safe pair of hands Smith spills Cook off the bowling of my wildcard Mitch Marsh!

Yes, ha ha. I had the same situation, guildford. Broad's 4 wickets saved me from complete disgrace after dropping Warner.

Ha. Had a good day today : but Moeen remains the weight around my neck...

Other than having cook it couldnt have much better for me

If I hadn't have swapped Cook for Bairstow, I'd probably be top now!

Standings after Day 3:

3755 superflyweight
3732 Dolphin Ziggler
3675 compelling and rich
3672 Caledonian Craig
3641 Duty281
3533 Lowlandbrit
3508 Azzy Mahmood
3503 alfie
3495 The Loaded Dog
3463 James100
3462 guildfordbat
3450 Gooseberry
3388 Marky
3363 Mad for Chelsea
3209 Fernando
3207 jimbohammers
2911 Good Golly I'm Olly
2879 LionsV2
2866 JDizzle
2732 wisden

average: 3372

A big day for Azzy and Gooseberry... the only ones who selected Cook. Well done!

Just managing to stave off the wooden spoon...!

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Just managing to stave off the wooden spoon...!

Mate, I still don't have your replacement for Starc... that would have helped your score.
I've scoured through the pages but couldn't see your alternative.
Please tell me I've missed your post. I've got your w/k dismissals and result though.

Same goes for about 6 others... my formula was attributing Bird's massive 4 runs to you guys until I deleted his excel cells.

The Loaded Dog wrote:

Good Golly I'm Olly wrote:Just managing to stave off the wooden spoon...!

Mate, I still don't have your replacement for Starc... that would have helped your score.
I've scoured through the pages but couldn't see your alternative.
Please tell me I've missed your post. I've got your w/k dismissals and result though.

Same goes for about 6 others... my formula was attributing Bird's massive 4 runs to you guys until I deleted his excel cells.

I don't think I chose one in time mate - my own fault for not keeping up and realising Starc wasn't playing until day one had begun

I'd like to give you the choice between Cummins (+64) and Hazelwood (+61)... I know you don't think much of Mitch Marsh (9).

But if I did, then I'd also give Goose, wisden, Lions, Azzy, MfC, Marky & Fernando the same pick as you. How does that sound?
I don't have a problem with doing that. Others might... but I'd like to see everyone maximise their points if possible.

Standings after Day 4: ... a slight change at the top despite the rain affected day. Well done Dolph!

3857 Dolphin Ziggler
3840 superflyweight
3777 Caledonian Craig
3760 compelling and rich
3746 Duty281
3650 Lowlandbrit
3613 Azzy Mahmood
3608 alfie
3568 James100
3560 Loaded Dog
3547 guildfordbat
3535 Gooseberry
3493 Marky
3468 Mad for Chelsea
3285 Fernando
3283 jimbohammers
2971 Good Golly I'm Olly
2959 LionsV2
2937 JDizzle
2752 wisden

average score: 3460

Standings after Day 5, 4th Test:

4023 superflyweight
4020 Dolphin Ziggler
3943 compelling and rich
3940 Caledonian Craig
3909 Duty281
3787 Lowlandbrit
3784 guildfordbat
3776 Azzy Mahmood
3771 alfie
3726 Loaded Dog
3711 James100
3698 Gooseberry
3636 Marky
3631 Mad for Chelsea
3445 jimbohammers
3402 Fernando
3046 Good Golly I'm Olly
3009 LionsV2
3003 JDizzle
2801 wisden

average score: 3603

72,061 points scored by all of us in total.

Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and a great 2018!

Don't forget to get your team changes and picks in before the last Test begins on Thursday... or late Wednesday your time.

Thanks you all for your participation in this tipping competition so far. It's still so close at the top with a few people still within striking range.
All the best!

I will keep my selections as the same.

England to win.

Wicket-keeper scores:- England 5 Australia 5

Here's the table with wicket keeper and test winner points added.
Sorry... I posted the one above too soon in my 'excitement' after the match.

That table just had the batting & bowling scores without the bonus points for wicket keeper dismissals (7) and match winner (draw).

4173 superflyweight
4105 Dolphin Ziggler
4033 compelling and rich
4025 Caledonian Craig
4004 Duty281
3937 Lowlandbrit
3929 guildfordbat
3861 alfie
3821 The Loaded Dog
3801 James100
3776 Azzy Mahmood
3698 Gooseberry
3636 Marky
3631 Mad for Chelsea
3595 jimbohammers
3402 Fernando
3176 Good Golly I'm Olly
3098 JDizzle
3009 LionsV2
2801 wisden

Average score: 3676
Total points scored: 73,511

wicket keeper dismissals: 7

100 superfly, lowland, jimbo
95 Duty, guildford, Loaded Dog, JDizzle
90 James, alfie, compelling
85 Dolphin, Craig
80 Olly

Drawn match result:
50 points for: superfly, guildford, jimbo, lowland, olly

Hi LD - I''m going for an England win this time. Not so much confidence in our boys but I did go for us to win one before the series started!

9 keeper dismissals - 6 to Bairstow, 3 to Paine.

If Moeen plays, I'll keep him as one of my bowlers - well, no one else is going to choose him! If he's dropped, I'll have Woakes instead.

If Starc returns, I'll have him back as a bowler. If he doesn't, I'll stick with Mitch Marsh. Cheers.

Thanks guilford.

I'll swap Mitch Marsh back for Warner again. I'll keep Cummins even if Starc plays.
Have to go for the draw - used my last "win" in Melbourne.
For wicket keeper dismissals: Paine 6 Bairstow 6

Can I change one of my England bowlers from Chris Woakes to Stuart Broad.

Sure Craig. I've got your other selections above.

Australia to win.

WK: Australia 5; England 1

Cheers Duty

Aus 5 Eng 6, whatever result I've got left, and if it's not automatic I'll take Starc back (assuming he starts).

No worries Lowland.

Yeah if Starc starts, please put him in for Hazlewood. And if Woakes is injured, replace him with Crane.

Thanks.

If Starc is playing I guess he comes back for me in place of Cummins...but are Australia going to pick two spinners ?? Seems England are so I'm still stuck with Moeen...

Five each for the keepers , still hoping for an England win.

OK, thanks Duty and alfie.

I'll have whichever result I have left and I'll have broad in for Woakes as an injury replacement. 5 dismissals for Paine, 4 for Bairstow.

Thanks James.

I’ll have Starc back in if he’s playing. If not, will stick with Hazlewood.

I’ve got to go for the draw again.

Wicketkeeper dismissals:

Paine 4
Barstow 3

Thanks super!

Hi LD,

Ill have Crane in for Woakes please.

Also can i swap swap Kwahaja (i think i still have him!) for Warner

England win and Aussies 4 dismissals, England 7

Cheers!

If Starc is back, bring him in for Hazy. Wouldn’t mind Lyon in for Cummy.

Broad in for Woakes. Malan for Jonny B

5 Bairstow, 3 for Paine

Presume my Aussie bats are Warner and Smith

Thanks Jimbo.

Dolph... yes Warner and Smith. So Starc and Lyon then are your Oz Bowlers?

Indeed! And another draw

Alrighty. Back from New York yet?

i'll swap starc back in for lyon

had 3-1 at the start so im going to have to go England win despite not being exactly confident of that particular result

paine 5
bairstow 3

I’ll stick with Hazlewood rather than to back to Lyon please LD. And I’ll go Crane in for Woakes, expecting a Borthwick like return...

JB 3 - 5 Paine

Aus Win

OK compelling and JD. Thanks.

Still waiting on

Olly
Gooseberry
wisden
Lions
Azzy
MfC
Fernando
Marky

C'mon guys!

Also Starc for Cummins for me. (so Starc + Hazelwood) and Anderson for Woakes.

Standings after Day 1, 5th Test:

4281 superflyweight
4263 Dolphin Ziggler
4181 compelling and rich
4153 Caledonian Craig
4112 Duty281
4085 Lowlandbrit
4056 guildfordbat
4009 alfie
3969 Loaded Dog
3938 Azzy Mahmood
3901 James100
3820 Gooseberry
3783 jimbohammers
3759 Mad for Chelsea
3666 Marky
3580 Fernando
3245 JDizzle
3230 Good Golly I'm Olly
3078 LionsV2
2948 wisden

ave: 3803

The Loaded Dog wrote:Alrighty. Back from New York yet?

Physically, yes.

But England were better at cricket when I was there

Dolphin Ziggler wrote:

The Loaded Dog wrote:Alrighty. Back from New York yet?

Physically, yes.

But England were better at cricket when I was there

ha ha. I was in Berlin in 2009... whenever I walked into the bar Australia lost a wicket. Had to take a train to Potsdam... but it didn't help.

I have reinstated "Starc" for Goose, wisden, Azzy, MfC, Marky, Fernando and Olly; so some may notice the extra 40 points in the table for these guys.

Since I hadn't received a replacement for Starc at Melbourne... and Bird wasn't specifically nominated... those guys above were an Aus bowler short.

Standings after Day 2, Sydney:

4531 Dolphin Ziggler
4492 superflyweight
4422 compelling and rich
4394 Caledonian Craig
4310 Lowlandbrit
4307 guildfordbat
4276 Duty281
4229 alfie
4210 The Loaded Dog
4152 Azzy Mahmood
4099 James100
4039 Mad for Chelsea
4028 jimbohammers
4014 Gooseberry
3850 Marky
3786 Fernando
3446 JDizzle
3380 Good Golly I'm Olly
3158 LionsV2
3097 wisden

average score: 4011
80,220 points scored

Im so glad i dropped Khawaja

I dropped him too! And Cummins.
Did the same with Warner just before the last one.

Standings after Day 3:

4570 Dolphin Ziggler
4531 superflyweight
4461 compelling and rich
4459 guildfordbat
4433 Caledonian Craig
4349 Lowlandbrit
4335 Duty281
4318 alfie
4249 The Loaded Dog
4211 Azzy Mahmood
4138 James100
4128 Mad for Chelsea
4123 Gooseberry
4087 jimbohammers
3970 Fernando
3909 Marky
3641 JDizzle
3548 Good Golly I'm Olly
3276 LionsV2
3210 wisden

ave: 4097