All five matches last week were won by teams batting second to take the season record for chasing teams to 9-0. No team has been able to post a defendable total this season in the KFC T20 Big Bash League.

Only three of the nine matches have been won by the home team (Renegades v Stars, Sixers v Thunder and Stars v Hurricanes).

The three most economical bowlers (min 6 overs) are all fast bowlers which is a reversal from last season where spinners filled the top three spots, and seven of the top 10, at season’s end. Lasith Malinga, Luke Feldman and Dirk Nannes are all proving hard to get away with a combined economy rate of 4.17 (Malinga 3.83, Feldman 4.36, Nannes 4.5). Muttiah Muralidaran is the first non-quick on the list, followed by familiar names from BBL|01, spinner Michael Beer, Brad Hogg and Aaron O’Brien.

The Melbourne Renegades are the only undefeated team. All teams have played at least two matches with the Scorchers and Stars each playing three. Five teams sit on two points with run rate keeping the Sixers and Strikers in the top four despite losses in the last round.

Key match-ups:

• Joe Burns v Nathan Coulter-Nile – Heat v Scorchers, Tue 18 Dec. These two young guns are developing into influential players for their teams
• Murali v Ponting – Renegades v Hurricanes, Wed 19 Dec
• Finch v Bollinger – Renegades v Hurricanes, Wed 19 Dec
• Gayle v Pollard – Thunder v Strikers, Thu 20 Dec
• Nannes / Tremain v Strikers top six – Thunder v Strikers, Thu 20 Dec. Can the Thunder pace duo continue their strong form and keep the high scoring Strikers line-up in check?

BBL|02 Stats
Most Runs – 142 Aaron Finch (Renegades)
Most Wickets – 8 Lasith Malinga (Stars)
Most Sixes – 4 Aaron Finch (Renegades), Joe Burns (Heat), Nathan Reardon (Strikers)
Most Total Boundaries (Sixes + Fours) – 18 (4+14) Aaron Finch (Renegades)
Highest Strike Rate (min 20 balls) – 208.69 Kieron Pollard (Strikers)
Best Economy Rate (min 6 overs) – 3.83 Lasith Malinga (Stars)
Highest Score – 111 Aaron Finch (Renegades)
Best Bowling (Innings) – 6-7 Lasith Malinga (Stars)
Best Economy Rate (Innings) – 6-7 Lasith Malinga (Stars)

Brisbane Heat v Perth Scorchers
Tue 18 Dec, 6.30pm, Gabba

• Broadcast: Live on Fox Sports 2 from 7pm EDT and ABC local and digital radio
•  Online: Live scores and match reviews on bigbash.com.au
• Last meeting: Scorchers 8-162 d Heat 6-152 by 10 runs
  The Heat and Scorchers are in a pack of five teams on two points but sit outside the top four on net run rate
  As predicted by Greg Chappell pre-season, Joe Burns is proving a young talent to watch in BBL|02. He’s scored 81 from 57 in two innings so far, including 7 fours and 4 sixes, to sit third on the run scorers’ list
• With Chris Lynn back from injury and Luke Pomersbach and Burns firing, the Heat have a dangerous and versatile top six
• Spin duo Michael Beer and Brad Hogg are again leading the bowling economy rates for the Scorchers (6 runs per over) but they are getting good support from Nathan Coulter-Nile. The quick has the second best economy rate in an innings this season – 1-9 (4) against the Sixers
• Kemar Roach plays his first match for the Heat after a late arrival in Australia prevented him from playing against the Strikers
• With the competition so evenly balanced, both teams need to improve their net run rate with an eye on season’s end when it will likely become critical in determining the finalists

Melbourne Renegades v Hobart Hurricanes
Wed 19 Dec, 7pm, Etihad Stadium

• Broadcast: Live on Fox Sports 2 from 6.30pm EDT and ABC local and digital radio
•  Online: Live scores and match reviews on bigbash.com.au
• Last meeting: Hurricanes 3-174 d Renegades 4-173 by seven wickets (with one ball remaining)
• A third straight win would put the Renegades in the box seat for a finals berth
• The match is the first chance for Renegades fans to see Marlon Samuels in action after the West Indian missed the team’s first home match against Stars
• Etihad Stadium’s reputation as a high scoring venue should be enhanced with this match against two free-scoring teams
• The Hurricanes all-international top order failed to fire against Melbourne Stars on Saturday but get a chance to make amends in their first match at Etihad Stadium
• Doug Bollinger was back to his T20 best against the Stars with two maiden overs in figures of 2-22 (4)
• Renegades captain Aaron Finch continues to lead the league’s run scorers with 142 from 98 balls

Sydney Thunder v Adelaide Strikers
Thu 20 Dec, 7pm, ANZ Stadium

• Broadcast: Live on Fox Sports 2 from 6.30pm EDT and ABC local and digital radio
• Online: Live scores and match reviews on bigbash.com.au
• Last meeting: Thunder 4-156 d Strikers 8-155 by six wickets
• Chris Gayle and Kieron Pollard are two of the biggest hitters in the game and ANZ Stadium’s short straight boundaries will be no obstacle if they get going
• Wicket-keeper Ryan Carters is proving a valuable addition with the bat for the Thunder. He’s delivered a pair of unbeaten late innings contributions in both matches and sits on top of the BBL Fantasy rankings for wicket-keepers
• While Dirk Nannes is the leader of the Thunder attack, 21-year-old Chris Tremain has impressed with the new ball. He’s the team’s equal-leading wicket-taker and has an economy rate second only to Nannes (6.37)
• The Strikers have one of the most damaging middle orders in the league in Ferguson, Reardon, Pollard and Botha. All are capable of changing the momentum of an innings and taking the game away from the opposition

Catch the action anywhere, anytime

In addition to the live broadcast of KFC T20 Big Bash League matches on Fox Sports and ABC Radio, fans can watch every ball of the KFC T20 Big Bash League via the Cricket LIVE Australia app. The app is available for free and for $12.99 fans can watch the live TV coverage of all KFC T20 Big Bash League and international matches. A single match pass is $4.49. https://www.vodafone.com.au/personal/cricket/cricket/live-app

The dedicated KFC T20 Big Bash League apps have also been re-launched for the season. The apps can be customised for each team and provide live scores, video highlights, match reports and more.

BBL Fantasy Rankings – https://fantasy.bigbash.com.au/

Batsmen
Finch (Renegades)
Voges (Scorchers)
Hughes (Strikers)
Rohrer (Renegades)
Pomersbach (Heat)

Bowlers
Malinga (Stars)
Faulkner (Stars)
Tremain (Thunder)
Laughlin (Hurricanes)
Hogan (Hurricanes)

All-Rounders
O’Brien (Renegades)
Perera (Heat)
Pollard (Strikers)
Wright (Stars)
Botha (Strikers)

Wicketkeepers
Carters (Thunder)
Paine (Hurricanes)
Haddin (Sixers)
Ludeman (Strikers)
Hartley (Heat)