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)

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

Heat Vs Thunder Preview

• After an excellent start to the tournament, the Thunder lost their fourth game, away to the Hurricanes. The Heat have lost all four BBL05 games so far, with none of the games being particularly close. 
• Given the poor form of the Heat, the Thunder are strong favourites here, and best priced at 1.63. There's not much value here, as is often the case in pre-match odds, but I'll be looking to back them in-running as I really don't rate the Heat.
• The Heat's captain Chris Lynn has been the backbone of their batting so far, scoring 101, 75, 1 and 35, and being their top run scorer on all but one occasion. Backing him to continue his form looks good here.
• Thunder opener Jacques Kallis has had a tough tournament so far, scoring 0, 49*, 9 and 15. At 40 years old, Kallis is well and truly into the end of his career, and has struggled at this level. I'm happy to take him on here, as he's covered this run line just once so far this tournament. 

Back the Thunder at 1.8+ in-running, where they're in a good position

Back Chris Lynn over 23.5 runs at 1.83 with Ladbrokes

Back Chris Lynn top Heat Run Scorer at 4 with Stan James

Back Jacques Kallis under 21.5 runs at 1.83 with Ladbrokes

Hurricanes Vs Thunder Review

• A solid all-round batting display from the Hurricanes, making 163 with contributions of 15+ from all but one of their seven batsmen to face a ball, and a 29-ball 56 from skipper George Bailey. The Thunder couldn't match this, despite getting into a good position during the chase, and the Hurricanes won by 11.
• A good example of how ground history can help in betting, with very few successful chases at Hobart in the previous games played here indicating that opposing the Thunder could pay off. They were available to lay at sub-1.2 at points during the chase.
• The Thunder's unbeaten start to the tournament, winning three of three, has come to an end, and with tougher fixtures coming up, they could continue to struggle. Their batting here was poor, despite Mike Hussey getting them into a position where they really should have won, and being incapable of closing out the game is not a good sign.   
• Jacques Kallis scored a 4-ball duck here, and with scores so far of 15, 9, 49* and 0, I do like talking him on and backing unders on his run-line, as I think he's past his prime. 

The Hurricanes host the Renegades at the Bellerive Oval, Hobart on 4th Jan

The Thunder visit the Gabba to take on the Heat on 3rd Jan

Thunder Vs Strikers Review

• A solid win for the Thunder, who have put last season's disappointment behind them, restricting the Strikers to just 117 and chasing down for the loss of 3 wickets in 16.5 overs. 
• Andre Russell was the star of the show yet again, taking two wickets and making 17 runs. Backing overs on his player performance points, when the line is around 40.5, is looking like a solid money-maker this season, as he will bowl 4 overs every game and contribute with the bat as well. Kallis seems to have hit his straps as well after a slow start, bowling well and steering the chase home. 
• The Strikers put in a poor performance today, with very few meaningful contributions with the bat, and poor management of the bowlers from captain Brad Hodge. Last seasons reliability seems to have gone, and inconsistency is the theme this year, making them a difficult side to bet on. 

The Thunder play the Hurricanes on 1st Jan at Hobart

The Strikers host the Sixers at the Adelaide Oval on Dec 31st

Thunder Vs Stars Review

• Usman Khawaja's century on return from a hamstring injury that kept him out of the conclusion of the New Zealand test series set up the Thunder for an impressive win. 
• The Stars were again overvalued by the market for the majority of the game, offering excellent trading opportunities. Luke Wright at the top of the order looked to knock every ball out of the park, which seems to be his role in the side. I'll be looking for opportunities to take unders on his run line when the better bowlers come on, as with Russell today. 
• Old-timers KP and Jacques Kallis proved they've still got it, KP smashing the ball to all parts, whilst calling it all live on the mic with the comms team, and Kallis defending 10 off the last over with the ball. Kallis scored just 9 with the bat, and looks to be a contender for going under on his run lines. 
• Dre-Russ smashed through his Player Performance line again, and backing overs on this every game should have a massive positive expectancy as long as the line stays around the 40.5 mark. 

The Thunder take on the Strikers next up at the Showgrounds Stadium

The Stars play the Sixers on Dec 27th at the SCG

Thunder Vs Sixers Review

• First thing to note from this game was how poor the Sixers were. Missing Starc, Smith, Lee, etc from last season, they struggled to compete against the Thunder, who have improved from last seasons poor showing. Opposing the Sixers going forward should be a good strategy. 
• In terms of players, Nick Maddinson for the Sixers looked very out of touch with the bat, and perhaps the pressure of captaincy is taking it's toll. I'll be looking to back under in his run line going forwards. I'll be taking a similar approach with Brad Haddin, who was plumb LBW first ball of the innings but not given, and stated afterwards that his job is to get the innings off to a flyer. Hopefully he'll carry on swinging from ball one, and will end up giving his wicket away cheaply.
• For the Thunder, playing unders on Kallis' run line might also be a goer, as he generally scores quite slowly nowadays. Andre Russell, or Dre-Russ as he apparently likes to be known, was not given much of a chance with the bat, facing just 5 balls, but picked up 3 wickets for 13 with the ball, bowling with some good pace and bounce. Most of Cricket Twitter were on his Player Performance Points at over 19.5 with Bet365, which was misquoted and adjusted to 40.5. He ended up beating this line easily, and if we see similar again in the next game I'll be steaming in on the overs. 

The Sixers play the Hurricanes on Sunday 20th Dec. at the SCG

The Thunder also play on Sunday, taking on the Stars at the MCG