Jan 1: Melbourne Renegades vs Sydney Thunder, Queensland
Pro Tip: Both the games at the Carrara Oval were high-scoring encounters. So, back a lot of big-hitting top-order batters for this game.
Our XI: Aaron Finch, Shaun Marsh, Mohammad Nabi, Imad Wasim, Kane Richardson, Usman Khawaja, Alex Hales, Callum Ferguson, Oliver Davies, Daniel Sams, Tanveer Sangha
Substitutes: Peter Hatzoglou, Sam Harper, Sam Billings, Ben Cutting
Player availability: Some players like James Pattinson and Marcus Harris who were part of Australia Test squad might be available to play, but there’s no official confirmation yet.
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: Shaun Marsh
On a wicket with true pace and bounce like Queensland, Shaun Marsh is a great captain’s pick. He has scored a couple of 60-plus scores this season already. He scored a 48-ball 67 in his last game at the same venue. Against Thunder, he has scored 296 runs in eight games at an average of 49.33 and strike rate of 137.04.
Vice-captain: Usman Khawaja
Another left-hander who will relish batting in this wicket is Khawaja. Having taken his own time to settle down in BBL10, he has scored 34(18) and 37(31) in his last two games. Against Renegades, he has scored 244 runs in seven games at an average of 40.67.
Hot Picks
Alex Hales: Alex Hales has been in splendid form this season recording scores of 46, 35 and 71. He made a superb 29-ball 71 in the last game against the Stars. Since 2019, no player has scored more runs in powerplay than Hales in T20s with 1483 runs at a strike rate of 153.04.
Aaron Finch: Aaron Finch has not been at his usual best in BBL10 yet but has managed to score three 20-plus scores in four games he played so far. This might be the perfect game for a big score.
Tanveer Sangha: One of the youngest players in the tournament, Sangha has been exceptional in the tournament with nine wickets in five games at an average of 13.33, the joint second leading wicket-taker.
Differential Picks
Kane Richardson: Richardson is the third-highest wicket-taker in BBL history, with 92 strikes at an average of 22.48. He has picked up nine wickets for Renegades in five games so far at an average of 16.44. Against Thunder, he has picked up 14 wickets in ten games at an economy of 6.26.
Oliver Davies: Davies has turned heads with his sensational hitting this season. His 36 off 22 against the Perth Scorchers included three sixes and his 48 off 23 against the Melbourne Renegades included five sixes. He hit those against established bowlers like Jason Behrendorff, Fawad Ahmed and Mohammad Nabi.
Alternate Scenarios
- Peter Hatzoglou and Imad Wasim can be swapped.