Updated FTE Ratings for BBL05 sides

With BBL05 just over half way through, I though it would be useful to update the FTE Ratings that I gave each side prior to the tournament based on their performances so far. I'm not going to go into too much detail on these, as they're essentially a score out of ten based on my assessment of the teams quality. Perth Scorchers are still top of the list, and the Heat still bottom.  The Thunder are the biggest movers, although they have played the weaker sides in the competition so far.

Perth Scorchers 9/10 (Previously 8.5/10)
Melbourne Stars 7/10 (Previously 7.5/10)
Melbourne Renegades 6/10 (Previously 6.5/10)
Adelaide Strikers 6/10 (Previously 6/10)
Sydney Thunder 6/10 (Previously 5/10)
Sydney Sixers 5.5/10 (Previously 6.5/10)
Hobart Hurricanes 5/10 (Previously 5.5/10)
Brisbane Heat 3.5/10 (Previously 4/10)

Hurricanes Vs Renegades Review

• A comprehensive performance from the Renegades, restricting the Hurricanes to just 140 and chasing this down with six overs to spare. 
• The Hurricanes top order struggled here, with three of the top five scoring five runs between them. A quick fire 58 from pinch hitter Dan Christian batting at six got the Hurricanes to a respectable total, but the power of the Renegades batting line up proved too much for the Hurricanes bowlers. With the fragility of the Hurricanes top order, a small back of Christian for top run scorer could be worthwhile.
• Finch again outscored his opening partner Gayle, but given the upcoming white ball internationals for Australia and Gayle's injudicious comments during his pre-match interview this could be the last time we see these two batting together this BBL. Hopefully not, and we get another chance to back Finch to beat Gayle in the head-to-head. 
• Cam White didn't get much of a chance to challenge for top run scorer, but looked solid yet again scoring an unbeaten 15 to close out the game. 

The Hurricanes play the Stars at the MCG on 6th Jan

The Renegades host the Stars in the second Melbourne derby at Docklands stadium on 9th Jan

Hurricanes Vs Renegades Preview

The Bellerive Oval, Hobart - 4th Jan 2016

• The Bellerive Oval in Hobart is one ground that has a strong bias towards defending totals, with the side batting second winning just 31% of games here. Immediately this offers a bias for trading this match, and there could be some excellent opportunities to oppose the chasing side, particularly if it's the Renegades, as their big-name batsmen are often overrated by the market, and could offer some excellent opportunities to lay them cheaply. 
• These big names also mean there can be a lot of value on offer in the top run scorer market, and one guy who I really like in the Renegades line-up is Cam White. White has looked in good touch so far in BBL05, but has only converted this into runs in the last game, making 54. Any continuation of his form in the last game makes the 5s on offer on him to be top run scorer with Ladbrokes a touch big, and value I'm happy to take. 
• George Bailey is another quietly consistent T20 player, and has scored 56*, 27, 40 and 62* this BBL. He has topped the Hurricanes batting in two of their four games so far this season, and can be backed at 5s to do the same here. 
• The match-up at the top of the Renegades order between Chris Gayle and Aaron Finch, two of the biggest names in world T20 cricket, is one that Finch has had the upper hand in this BBL, outscoring Gayle in three of the 4 games so far. Finch can be backed at 1.83 to continue this trend, and given his form so far should definitely be favourite here in what is currently a coin toss market. 

Keep the side batting first onside trading the match odds market

Back Cam White top Renegades run scorer at 5 with Ladbrokes

Back George Bailey top Hurricanes run scorer at 5 with Stan James

Back Aaron Finch (Vs Gayle) Batsman Match market at 1.83 with Bet365

Heat Vs Thunder Review

• Chris Lynn carried the Heat to an impressive victory here, scoring a 32-ball 75 in chasing down 186 with three balls to spare in a rain-affected game. 
• The Thunder, despite making what should have been a definable score of 186, were put under pressure from ball one by the Heat, and struggled to cope. The 16th over proved the crucial one, with Grinder Sandhu serving up some pies, all right in the slot, and being taken for 25 from the over. 
• Kallis failed to cover his run line again, making 14. His unders is a bet that will win a lot more than it looses this BBL, and well worth taking every time. 
• The Heat's batting finally turned in a performance with the top three all scoring over 34. Chris Lynn was again the star, and backing him at top Heat run scorer would have landed in four of their five games, and with the poor performances of those around him, is a play that should continue to make money. 

The Heat host the Strikers at the Gabba on 8th Jan

The Thunder host the Scorchers at the Sydney Showground Stadium on 7th Jan