ANALYSIS - MELBOURNE RENEGADES
It was a good Big Bash season for the Renegades last year, finishing on the top of the table, thanks to some big hitting from skipper Aaron Finch. Unfortunately they lost their semi-final and were knocked out of the competition.
They don't have the greatest depth, and on paper, are one of the weakest Big Bash teams, as they were last year. However, skipper Aaron Finch was player of the season for BBL|02, and Renegades fans will hope he can produce the same this year, with the bat and captaincy. He will miss some of the season though, if he retains his role as International limited overs form opener.
Peter Siddle will be unavailable with test match duties, while James Pattinson is coming back from injury and it is unclear whether or not he will play Big Bash. Sheridan, Gale, Herrick and Rimmington are all decent quicks, and any combination of them could play.
The spin stocks are strong, with the highest test wicket taker of all time, Murali to be complemented by Fawad Ahmed and the impressive Aaron O'Brien, who had a great BBL|02.
Englishman Jos Buttler will be around for the first couple of games, before he leaves and Mohammad Hafeez will take his place in the side. Buttler pummelled the Aussies over in England earlier in the year, and Hafeez is the second highest rated T20 allrounder in the world, currently only behind Shane Watson.
Peter Nevill should keep wicket throughout the entire competition, being a very capable gloveman and handy with the bat down the order.
Aaron Finch will open with Buttler to start the series, with the big hitting Ben Roher and former Netherlands international Tom Cooper likely to make up the top 4. Finch, Rohrer and Cooper made the top 3 run getters in the Renegades last Big Bash campaign. Daniel 'Doc' Harris is back along with test hopeful Alex Doolan, who has been in inspired form this summer. Michael Hill could also get a chance along the way.
It was a good Big Bash season for the Renegades last year, finishing on the top of the table, thanks to some big hitting from skipper Aaron Finch. Unfortunately they lost their semi-final and were knocked out of the competition.
They don't have the greatest depth, and on paper, are one of the weakest Big Bash teams, as they were last year. However, skipper Aaron Finch was player of the season for BBL|02, and Renegades fans will hope he can produce the same this year, with the bat and captaincy. He will miss some of the season though, if he retains his role as International limited overs form opener.
Peter Siddle will be unavailable with test match duties, while James Pattinson is coming back from injury and it is unclear whether or not he will play Big Bash. Sheridan, Gale, Herrick and Rimmington are all decent quicks, and any combination of them could play.
The spin stocks are strong, with the highest test wicket taker of all time, Murali to be complemented by Fawad Ahmed and the impressive Aaron O'Brien, who had a great BBL|02.
Englishman Jos Buttler will be around for the first couple of games, before he leaves and Mohammad Hafeez will take his place in the side. Buttler pummelled the Aussies over in England earlier in the year, and Hafeez is the second highest rated T20 allrounder in the world, currently only behind Shane Watson.
Peter Nevill should keep wicket throughout the entire competition, being a very capable gloveman and handy with the bat down the order.
Aaron Finch will open with Buttler to start the series, with the big hitting Ben Roher and former Netherlands international Tom Cooper likely to make up the top 4. Finch, Rohrer and Cooper made the top 3 run getters in the Renegades last Big Bash campaign. Daniel 'Doc' Harris is back along with test hopeful Alex Doolan, who has been in inspired form this summer. Michael Hill could also get a chance along the way.
EXPECTED WEEK 1 SIDE:
1. Aaron Finch (C)
2. Jos Buttler
3. Ben Rohrer
4. Tom Cooper
5. Alex Doolan
6. Daniel Harris
7. Peter Nevill (wk)
8. Will Shierdan / Matthew Gale
9. Jayde Herrick / Nathan Rimmington
10. Muttiah Muralidaran
11. Fawad Ahmed / Aaron O'Brien
1. Aaron Finch (C)
2. Jos Buttler
3. Ben Rohrer
4. Tom Cooper
5. Alex Doolan
6. Daniel Harris
7. Peter Nevill (wk)
8. Will Shierdan / Matthew Gale
9. Jayde Herrick / Nathan Rimmington
10. Muttiah Muralidaran
11. Fawad Ahmed / Aaron O'Brien
FANTASY RELEVANT
FINCH, Aaron - Batsman, $117,400
You would be crazy not to start Finch in your side, and he is my skipper for round 1. 332 runs and player of the season last Big Bash, he smacked out a ton last time against the Melbourne Stars and isn't afraid to role his arm over to get a wicket or two. In great form for the Australian side as well, including a world record 156 against England this year.
DOOLAN, Alex - Batsman, $53,300
If you are looking for a nicely priced 4th batsman, Doolan could be the way to go. He has been in great form this summer so far, smashing out first class hundreds. He has only played 6 T20 matches so far, but expect him to improve on that this season. He is such a clean striker of the ball, which could make him a dangerous prospect for opposition teams.
HAFEEZ, Mohammad - All-Rounder, $87,500
Ranked 2nd in the T20I rankings, behind only Shane Watson, Hafeez is a Pakistani that opens for his country in the short forms and bowls some useful off-spin. Don't start off with him in your team though, he won't be available for the first couple of matches.
NEVILL, Peter - Wicket-Keeper, $36,000
If you are looking for a cheap wicket-keeping option who will play every game, Nevill could be your man. With Jos Buttler only set to be here for a few games, Nevill will be the sole wicket-keeper in the squad and has shown some very impressive form of late for New South Wales.
MURALIDARAN, Muttiah - Bowler, $89,800
Murali is the highest wicket taker in test cricket, and he brings his impressive game over to the T20 format too. 11 wickets last season was a massive effort, which brought an average of 45 points a game, very impressive for a bowler. Done with internationals now, he will play every game for the Renegades and will always perform strongly.
How do you think the Renegades will perform? Which players are going to make your line up?
Join our Fantasy Big Bash Leagues!
http://www.supercoachhq.com/bbl-leagues.html
FINCH, Aaron - Batsman, $117,400
You would be crazy not to start Finch in your side, and he is my skipper for round 1. 332 runs and player of the season last Big Bash, he smacked out a ton last time against the Melbourne Stars and isn't afraid to role his arm over to get a wicket or two. In great form for the Australian side as well, including a world record 156 against England this year.
DOOLAN, Alex - Batsman, $53,300
If you are looking for a nicely priced 4th batsman, Doolan could be the way to go. He has been in great form this summer so far, smashing out first class hundreds. He has only played 6 T20 matches so far, but expect him to improve on that this season. He is such a clean striker of the ball, which could make him a dangerous prospect for opposition teams.
HAFEEZ, Mohammad - All-Rounder, $87,500
Ranked 2nd in the T20I rankings, behind only Shane Watson, Hafeez is a Pakistani that opens for his country in the short forms and bowls some useful off-spin. Don't start off with him in your team though, he won't be available for the first couple of matches.
NEVILL, Peter - Wicket-Keeper, $36,000
If you are looking for a cheap wicket-keeping option who will play every game, Nevill could be your man. With Jos Buttler only set to be here for a few games, Nevill will be the sole wicket-keeper in the squad and has shown some very impressive form of late for New South Wales.
MURALIDARAN, Muttiah - Bowler, $89,800
Murali is the highest wicket taker in test cricket, and he brings his impressive game over to the T20 format too. 11 wickets last season was a massive effort, which brought an average of 45 points a game, very impressive for a bowler. Done with internationals now, he will play every game for the Renegades and will always perform strongly.
How do you think the Renegades will perform? Which players are going to make your line up?
Join our Fantasy Big Bash Leagues!
http://www.supercoachhq.com/bbl-leagues.html