Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers, BBL 2020-21, Fantasy Pick, team predictions
Fantasy picks for Match No. 18 of BBL 2020-21
Rahul Maniraja
28-Dec-2020
Dec 29: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Sixers, Carrara
Pro Tip: Following the first 16 BBL games this season, the batting average of captains has been 37.20 whereas others have averaged 19.86. So make sure you have both captains in your XI and possibly as a captain or a vice-captain too.
Our XI: Aaron Finch, Daniel Hughes, Rilee Rossouw, Josh Philippe, Dan Christian, Carlos Brathwaite, Jason Holder, Mohammad Nabi, Kane Richardson, Peter Hatzoglou, Steve O'Keefe
Substitutes: Shaun Marsh, Sam Harper, James Vince, Ben Dwarshuis
Player availability: Subject to fitness, Josh Lalor might play after missing out the Boxing Day game. No other major changes expected for either team. We might not always be able to tip you off about late injury (or other relevant) updates, so please finalise your team after the toss.
Captain: Josh Philippe
Wicketkeeper-batsman Philippe is due a big knock, which can be expected against the Renegades, his favourite opposition in the BBL. He has scored 281 runs at an average of 46.83 and a strike rate of 145.59 against them. Also, Philippe started this season with a 57-ball 95 against the Renegades, which is his highest T20 score.
Vice-captain: Aaron Finch
With the Renegades being bundled for 60 and 80 this season, their captain Aaron Finch will look to bat long to avoid a collapse. Expect him to score big against the Sixers, against whom he has scored 340 runs at an average of 37.77 and a strike rate of 137.09.
Hot Picks
Steve O'Keefe: The Sixers' most prolific spinner yet with 56 wickets in 59 innings, O'Keefe is expected to play a major role on a pitch that supports spinners. In his last eight BBL appearances, he has not gone wicketless even once and has picked up 14 wickets at an average of 12.35 and an economy of 6.65. In his last five outings against the Renegades, he has picked up ten wickets at an incredible average of 10.70.
Steve O'Keefe: The Sixers' most prolific spinner yet with 56 wickets in 59 innings, O'Keefe is expected to play a major role on a pitch that supports spinners. In his last eight BBL appearances, he has not gone wicketless even once and has picked up 14 wickets at an average of 12.35 and an economy of 6.65. In his last five outings against the Renegades, he has picked up ten wickets at an incredible average of 10.70.
Jason Holder: Holder was a revelation in IPL 2020, where he had the second-best bowling average (16.64) and strike rate (12) while picking up 14 wickets in seven games. He was exceptional in the last game for the Sixers with his 11-ball 18 and 4-0-26-1.
Peter Hatzoglou: The legspinner has made sure the Renegades haven't missed their premier spinner Cameron Boyce. He's come into the side and impressed immediately in his debut season, having picked up six wickets in the three games in which he's bowled.
Differential Picks
Carlos Brathwaite: Brathwaite has been an exceptional bowler in the BBL, with 16 wickets in 11 games at an economy of 7.17, having gone wicketless only twice. Though his batting skills have not yet come to the fore, he is more than handy in the lower-middle order and as a finisher.
Carlos Brathwaite: Brathwaite has been an exceptional bowler in the BBL, with 16 wickets in 11 games at an economy of 7.17, having gone wicketless only twice. Though his batting skills have not yet come to the fore, he is more than handy in the lower-middle order and as a finisher.
Mohammad Nabi: Though Nabi was attacked ruthlessly by Oliver Davies in the last game, expect him to come back well. He had a stellar BBL last season, scoring 160 runs in six innings at a strike rate of 160 along with picking up five wickets. Recently, Nabi had also got a five-for in the CPL 2020.
Alternate Scenarios