Fantasy Tips

Fantasy Picks: Sams your first choice but also make room for Boland

Our fantasy league suggestions for the game between Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes

Sydney Thunder v Hobart Hurricanes in Sydney

Our XI: Callum Ferguson, Usman Khawaja, Alex Ross, Caleb Jewell, Matthew Wade, Ben McDermott, Matthew Gilkes, Scott Boland, Chris Morris, Daniel Sams, Qais Ahmad
NOTE: We might not always be able to tip you off about a late injury (or other relevant updates).
Captain: Matthew Wade Wade brought solidity and energy to a struggling batting order against Brisbane Heat on Thursday, and looks in brilliant touch coming into the second half of the tournament as Hurricanes look to put together a winning streak.
Vice-captain: Callum Ferguson Ferguson has been among the most in-form batsmen in this edition of the BBL. He had a brief dip a couple of matches ago but looked himself again against Melbourne Stars.
Hot picks
Scott Boland
Boland's entry into the Hurricanes team and the tournament was delayed with niggles, but he has begun with some force, taking five wickets in two games - two wickets in his first match against Perth Scorchers, three against Brisbane Heat on Thursday. With James Faulkner out, Boland is the Hurricanes' de facto strike bowler now.
Daniel Sams
Sams is currently the bowler with most wickets this season. Only in two out of eight games has he not taken at least two wickets. He is a straight pick against a vulnerable batting line-up.
Usman Khawaja
Khawaja has been batting with a good strike rate and scored big when he has got off to a start. As opener, his batting position also makes him a top pick as Hurricanes try to figure out their bowling combinations.
Value picks
Matthew Gilkes
Gilkes has quietly settled into a No. 4 role in the Thunder line-up and his 41 against the Stars was a vital contribution. He is also the wicketkeeper and so offers points in two disciplines.
Caleb Jewell
Jewell has got into the 20s three times in his last four innings and while he's not been rapid on every occasion, he is being backed at the top of the order and could be an innings away from making a substantial score.
Point to note
Sydney Thunder have lost three matches in a row and will now play on a ground that has been hard to gauge - it was an early-140s kind of surface in the first match there this season, but the 8-over innings on Monday produced 119 runs. Even out your combination to try and cover for all these realities. Having said that, Hurricanes have lost D'Arcy Short to the Australian team, and Faulkner and Riley Meredith to injury.