Thommo Aitken
2019 SuperCoach BBL overall champion
Last year's SuperCoach BBL champion Thommo Aitken eyes the top dollar players to target and steer clear of.
Gun ShowThis week for me it is all about the two teams on the double (Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers).
This is of course barring any extreme wet weather and in that case please tailor your trade in plans to take that into consideration!
There looks to be some wet weather predicted in some games this week, so this is something that needs to be monitored.
We’ve talked on the podcast previously about how important it is to target key players if the weather is a tad dodgy.
Powerful hitters and strike bowlers are handy players to have in your side if the match is weather affected. Here are some players to consider for your team this week.
Embed from Getty ImagesKane Richardson (Renegades)
Kane is the best bowler on the Renegades team and looks like an obvious inclusion for their Round 6 double.
He has taken the most wickets for his team so far this tournament taking 9 wickets in five matches.
He is adaptable and can bowl at the start, during the power surge or at the death. He looked in great form last match when he took two wickets and was economical against the Sixers.
Mohammed Nabi (Renegades)
He is still to hit top gear but looked a lot better last match against the Sixers.
He will play a SuperCoach friendly role where he will look to make quick runs at the end of an innings and can chip in with the odd wicket when bowling.
It is worth remembering he can go big with scores of 155 and 166 when in red hot form during rounds last season.
Shaun Marsh (Renegades)
Last week I wrote in my column that I would wait to see some form with the bat.
He sure did and well done to those who picked him up early (I sure didn’t), because they were rewarded when he complied 67 runs off 48 balls.
Additionally, he plays his old team the Scorchers this round so I’m sure he would like a big score in that game.
Aaron Finch (Renegades)
In a similar vein to Marsh, Finch warmed up for his double game round by making some runs in his previous game. He made 39 off 32 before top edging one down to fine leg.
He has not made a massive score this tournament and it could come during this double round. He is a quality player and it is only a matter of time before he explodes.
Embed from Getty ImagesJosh Philippe (Sixers)
Has not taken the tournament by storm yet and looks to be a tad starchy at the start of his innings so far.
However, Philippe is an emerging talent so I think my man will produce some stellar knocks as the tournament progresses (perhaps that is the Sixers fan in me!).
He has enjoyed batting against the Renegades this year and has made runs in these two knocks with a 95 at the start of the tournament and then last round he made a lucky 48 off 30. A double game means he gets two chances to got out and get some runs.
Any bowler (Sixers)
The Sixers are such an even bowling line up and it is really hard to knock any of their major bowling options.
Anyone could have a day out but also most have a reasonable chance of picking up a wicket or two each match.
They also tend to share their overs out and it is not always clear who will bowl their maximum four over spell.
Depending on your teams needs and how much salary cap space you have any of Ben Dwarshius, Carlos Brathwaite, Steve O’Keefe or Dan Christian are all viable options.
Christian and to a lesser extent Braithwaite also can score quick runs with the bat which enhances their prospects too.
A sneaky one to perhaps consider is Jake Ball. The English quick will probably replace Jason Holder this week and he can pick up wickets as evidenced by his form in the English T20 Blast.
One I would probably want to see in action first, however, he looms as a massive POD play this round.
Embed from Getty ImagesNathan Coulter-Nile (Stars)
A player who has started the tournament really well and is picking up lots of wickets. Unfortunately for owners he has done his calf and needs to be traded as he will miss the next three to four weeks.
Rilee Rossouw (Renegades)
I’m fnding it really hard to knock a gun this week but the closest I can get this week is Rossouw.
The international for the Renegades does have the capacity to score lots of runs quickly in an innings.
He has had one reasonable dig (59 against the Hurricanes) but has not set the world on fire with scores of 17 not out, 0, 17 and 3 in the other matches thus far in the BBL.
There are other batting options for the Renegades that I prefer.
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