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BBL Fantasy Preview: Melbourne Renegades

Caribbean duo and a crop of veterans could come into your Fantasy calculations from the red half of Melbourne

BBL Fantasy preview: Sydney Sixers

BBL Fantasy preview: Brisbane Heat

Squad: Tom Beaton, Dwayne Bravo (OS), Tom Cooper, Xavier Doherty, Callum Ferguson, Aaron Finch (c), Marcus Harris, Brad Hogg, Sunil Narine (OS), Peter Nevill, James Pattinson, Nathn Rimmington, Matthew Short, Peter Siddle, Chris Tremain, Matthew Wade, Cameron White, Nick Winter

Ins: Brad Hogg, Sunil Narine, Marcus Harris

Outs: Chris Gayle

Master Blaster: Cameron White ($52,900)

Sure, skipper Aaron Finch is undoubtedly the key for the Renegades but his six-digit price ($108,200) and the fact he’s likely to miss a chunk of matches on national duties makes his teammate White the more dependable Fantasy option. The leading run-scorer in the Matador BBQs One-Day Cup, the former Bushrangers and Australia T20 captain has been in excellent touch in the Sheffield Shield. And with more than 200 T20 games under his belt, a career average in excess of 30, a super-safe pair of hands plus the ability to send down some useful leg-spin, the in-form White is an affordable pick for your Fantasy top-order.

October: White blazes his second ton of Matador Cup

Strike weapon: Brad Hogg ($45,700)

The veteran wrist-spinner has made a habit of deceiving batsmen in the BBL but don’t be fooled by Hogg’s low price tag; he remains one of the most valuable spinners in the competition. The 45-year-old is going around for another summer but he’ll be wearing different colours this season, having crossed from the Scorchers to the Renegades over the winter. While he may not have a fervent Furnace crowd cheering him on this season, Hogg should benefit from playing half his games on the lower, slower Etihad Stadium drop-in pitch. At just over $45,000, the fan favourite is good value.

January: Going, going, GONE!

All-round star: Dwayne Bravo ($108,200)

DJ Bravo, DJ Bravo … champion, champion. Yeah, we can’t get that song out of our head either. The West Indies danced their way to World T20 glory earlier this year and Bravo was a key part of that title-winning side. The 33-year-old is the complete package; he possesses a clever array of slower balls, hits over the offside like few in world cricket and is a dynamic presence in the field. He is the leading wicket-taker in T20 history and is in the top 20 for runs scored. Bravo is a standout pick and is a certain candidate to captain your Fantasy side.

January: Brilliant Bravo boosts Renegades

Overseas impact: Sunil Narine ($75,000)

The Renegades pulled off a coup with the signing of Bravo’s fellow Trinidadian Sunil Narine. A cunning tweaker who turns it both ways, the right-armer has twice won the Indian Premier League with the Kolkata Knight Riders. Narine missed the WT20 earlier this year to focus on remodelling his bowling action after being reported by the International Cricket Council, but has since returned to good effect in the West Indies’ limited-overs sides. The former No.1 ranked T20 bowler is likely to form a devastating spin-partnership with Hogg in BBL|06 and is an attractive Fantasy prospect.

June: Sunil's super six destroys Proteas

Fantasy Bargain: Marcus Harris ($30,000)

Like Hogg, Harris has crossed the Nullarbor for BBL|06, having turned out for the Scorchers for the past two BBL seasons. The 24-year-old’s move paid immediate dividends in the longest format of the game, striking a century on Shield debut for his new state and has since passed 50 another three times for Victoria before the BBL break. The aggressive left-hander is in good touch and at $30,000, it’s worth taking a punt on Harris for BBL|06.

October: Harris hits first ton of Shield season

Unknown quantity: James Pattinson ($82,000)

Whether the frighteningly fast Pattinson takes to the field for the Renegades in BBL|06 is difficult to gauge, but if he does, get him in to your Fantasy squad. The 26-year-old has been on the comeback trail from a back injury with his club side Dandenong, and has cranked up the pace in recent weeks. Pattinson said in October he was targeting a return to top-flight cricket through the BBL. His 70 Test wickets at 26.15 suggests he’s a world-class bowler, so don’t hesitate to get around him if he looks set for an extended run in BBL|06. 

Jan 2015: Pattinson's perfect start

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