Ahead of the final round of matches in the first Championship block SCOTT DUKE-GILES tells you everything you need to know when choosing your Cricket Draft XI in gameweek seven
Following a rain-affected weekend which featured a thriller at Chester Le Street and centuries scored by exciting young players, Scott Duke-Giles is once again here to guide you through selecting your County Championship fantasy cricket team for gameweek 7.
As well as the ongoing County Championship game, The Cricket Draft's T20 Blast game is now open for entries, too. To play, head to www.thecricketdraft.com, sign up absolutely free and select your squad before the first game this Saturday.
The Cricketer's Star Drafts
James Fuller; allrounder; £111K
Owned by just three per cent of players, Fuller showed his worth in gameweek 6. The 33-year-old allrounder bowled excellently during Kent's first innings taking 5 for 21, before scoring 51 runs in at No.9 to put Hampshire in a commanding lead over Kent. He scored 267 points and has been a consistent performer throughout the County Championship so far. Fuller's form rating is 7.7 and his total points tally 666.
Tom Taylor; allrounder; £108K
In a Northamptonshire side that really struggled as they lost comprehensively against Nottinghamshire, Taylor bowled well rewarding the very few players who had chosen him for their side. He took 4 for 59 and dismissed openers Haseeb Hameed and Ben Duckett all whilst bowling at an economy rate of 3.19 an over. Taylor's form rating is 7.3 and his total points tally 241.
Bargain Buys
Joe Weatherley; batter; £83K
Hampshire's game against Kent was Weatherley's first of the season. A man who averaged a solid 30.46 last season opened the batting and made a tidy 58 before being trapped lbw by Wes Agar. This could be a smart buy for players looking to have a solid opener in their team as Weatherley will look to kick on from this good start and make some bigger scores in the upcoming games. His form rating is 6.9 and total points tally 93.
James Sales; allrounder; £55K
Costing players just £55K is young allrounder Sales. Along with Taylor, Sales bowled excellently against Nottinghamshire. He took 4 for 24 in his six overs in the game and dismissed key batters including Joe Clarke who was looking good on 76 at the time.
Whilst Sales will be disappointed in his efforts with the bat, he will no doubt be looking to recapture the form he showed in the first innings against Somerset in gameweek 5 where he scored 57 before being bowled by Peter Siddle. Sales' form rating is 6.7 and his total points tally 220.
Injury list
Kyle Abbott (knee)
The Cricketer's Star Drafts
Ethan Bamber; bowler; £118K
In Middlesex's disappointing loss to Surrey, Ethan Bamber continued his good form in the County Championship this season. He took three wickets in Surrey's first innings and was far the most economical of the bowling attack. Only owned by four per cent of players, Bamber has rewarded those who have selected them with 19 wickets at an average of 17.84 so far this season. He also posted a tidy 25 not out in the second innings of this game. Bamber's form rating is 8.1 and his total points tally 738.
James Rew; wicketkeeper/batter; £80K
Players who had James Rew in their side in gameweek six should give themselves a well-earned pat on the back. The brightest young star in the County Championship scored two hundreds, 105 and 118 not out, during an otherwise tedious affair between Somerset and Lancashire at Old Trafford. At just £80K, expect Rew's value to rise if he continues his remarkable form. Rew's form rating is 8.1 and his total points tally 933.
Bargain Buys
Sam Robson; batter; £104K
There aren't many bargain buys in Middlesex's side, but Robson could prove to be an inexpensive source of runs for those looking to bolster their batting. The 33-year-old played really well in Middlesex's first innings against Surrey, scoring 76 and seeing off the intimidating opening pair Kemar Roach and Daniel Worrall. Robson will be keen to get back to something similar to last year's form where he averaged 37.26. Robson's form rating is 6.9 and his total points tally 237.
Tom Lammonby; batter; £96K
Don't be put off by 22-year-old Lammonby's low form rating. Somerset's opening bat looked assured as wickets fell around him in their first innings and survived a particularly tricky spell against James Anderson. In Somerset's second innings, he went on to make a hard-fought 78 - if there was any doubt about Lammonby's tenacity, there certainly won't be much now. Lammonby's form rating is 6.3 and his total points tally 350.
Injury list
Pieter Malan (knee)
Sonny Baker (back)
The Cricketer's Star Drafts
Dane Paterson; bowler; £145K
The South African seamer bowled fantastically as Nottinghamshire easily beat Northamptonshire in gameweek 6. In Northants' second innings, Paterson took 5 for 16, dismantling their top order in the process. This earned him 254 points in gameweek 6 and could be worth an investment before the clash against an Essex side whose top order has not quite been firing on all cylinders as of late. Paterson's form rating is 7.5 and total points tally is 656.
Doug Bracewell; allrounder; £136K
Essex's Kiwi was the pick of their bowlers as they struggled at Edgbaston against Warwickshire. Bracewell took 4 for 51 in the first innings and 2 for 24 in the second. Whilst the allrounder will be disappointed in his efforts with the bat in this game, he averages 25.98 in domestic first-class matches and could be a good choice for players looking for a wicket-taker who can post some handy runs. Bracewell's form rating is 7.3 and total points tally 347.
Bargain Buys
Brett Hutton; allrounder; £91K
Thirteen per cent of draft players have made a move for Hutton at an absolute steal of £91K. A guarantee of wickets, especially in difficult early Spring conditions, Hutton took 5 for 37 in Northants' first innings. Hutton has 25 so far in this County Championship, placing him fourth in the leading wicket-takers list behind Chris Rushworth, Mohammad Abbas and Timm van der Gugten. He will be feeling confident about taking a few more wickets as Essex make their way to Trent Bridge. Hutton's form rating is 8.2 and total points tally 869.
Shane Snater; bowler; £112K
A little expensive for a 'bargain buy' we know, but Essex's Shane Snater could be a shrewd investment for any side. A regular wicket-taker, Essex often turn to him in moments of need and he produces for them time and again. His dismissals of Sam Hain and Dan Mousley in Warwickshire's first innings kept Essex in the game and he can bat well too, scoring 31 before being trapped lbw to Oliver Hannon-Dalby in this game. Snater's form rating is 7.4 and total points tally 324.
Injury list
Olly Stone (hamstring), Tom Moores (finger), Jake Ball (groin)
The Cricketer's Star Drafts
Daniel Worrall; bowler; £134K
The Australian seamer forms one-half of Surrey's terrific opening bowling attack with Kemar Roach. He rewarded the 10 per cent who selected him in gameweek 6 with 202 points derived from a particularly impressive 5 for 48 taken during Middlesex's first innings. Surrey fans have plenty to get excited about with their talented seam attack, and you wouldn't bet against Worrall taking more wickets at The Oval against Kent in gameweek 7. Worrall's form rating is 8.1 and total points tally 851.
Zak Crawley; batter; £114K
Was dismissed for seven in Kent's limp first innings after being tipped in last week's Cricket Draft preview but Crawley turned it around in the second as his 56 helped them stand firm for a draw in gameweek 6. It will be challenging against Surrey's talented opening bowlers, but Crawley will once again be eager to prove himself. Crawley's form rating is 6.9 and total points tally 466.
Bargain Buys
Gus Atkinson; bowler; £92K
An undiscovered gem, Gus Atkinson has been a good buy for the two per cent of players who have selected him for their sides. He bowled excellently again in Middlesex's first innings, taking the wickets of Robson and Pieter Malan (who were looking comfortable on 76 and 66 respectively) before taking another wicket as Surrey rattled through the rest of Middlesex's order. For just £92K, Atkinson would be a great buy for a player looking for an inexpensive source of wickets. Atkinson's form rating is 8.4 and total points tally 426.
Jack Leaning; batter; £103K
Again selected by only two per cent of players, Leaning scored a tenacious and unbeaten 68 against a talented Hampshire seam attack. Kent's No.4 averages a healthy 36 in this season's County Championship and will certainly be looking to kick on after a good innings in gameweek 6. Leaning's form rating is 6.5 and total points tally 376.
Injury list
Jamie Overton (stress fracture), Tom Curran (back), Reece Topley (shoulder)
The Cricketer's Star Drafts
Tom Price; allrounder; £104K
The much-discussed form of Gloucestershire's allrounder has made him a must-buy. The 23-year-old is owned by 22 per cent of players, making him the sixth most selected player in The Cricket Draft. He rewarded them in gameweek 6 with a solid bowling display, taking 2 for 36 in Derbyshire's second innings. Price's form rating is 7.5 and his total points tally 810.
Ben Raine; allrounder; £137K
The key figure in Durham's nail-biting victory over Yorkshire, Ben Raine starred with both bat and ball under immense pressure. He took 3 for 59 in Yorkshire's first innings and 4 for 36 in the second. He will be remembered in this game more for his efforts with the bat however, as his unbeaten 50 was crucial as Durham won by one wicket. The third highest points scorer in The Cricket Draft, Raine is a guaranteed wicket taker who can score runs and would be a good fit in any draft side. Raine's form rating is 8.7 and his total points tally 987.
Bargain Buys
Ajeet Dale; Bowler; £57K
Gloucestershire is a side full of great young players available on the cheap. Ben Charlesworth batted really well against Derbyshire, making a slow 87 on a difficult wicket. But the pick of the bargains has to be Ajeet Dale, who picked up 3 for 50 in Derbyshire's first innings and then 2 for 47 in the second. Owned by 11 per cent of players, Dale has consistently rewarded those who have entrusted him with a spot on their bowling attack with wickets - he has taken 13 so far this season. Dale's form rating is 7.8 and his total points tally 420.
Michael Jones; Batsman; £98K
In need of a cheap and pretty reliable opening bat? Look no further than Durham's Scotsman Michael Jones. Whilst he has not quite hit the heights of last season where he averaged an impressive 51.64, Jones has played well so far this season (averaging 36.87). He played confidently in Durham's important second innings against Yorkshire scoring a well-made 56 and will be keen to kick on and make some bigger scores in the matches to come. Jones' form rating is 6.8 and total points tally 410.
Injury List
David Payne (ankle)
Brydon Carse (side)
Steve Smith's Sussex stint comes to an end against Glamorgan (Gareth Copley/Getty Images)
The Cricketer's Star Drafts
Steve Smith; batter; £164K
In this game where two well-matched Divison Two sides meet, Sussex will be looking, not unreasonably, to one of the world's best to make the difference for them at Hove. This seems like a pretty good strategy, but aside from taking a ridiculously good slip catch in Leicestershire's innings, Steve Smith has struggled so far for Sussex as he was dismissed for three by Wiaan Mulder in gameweek 6. One could safely bet that he will want to make a few high scores pretty soon, with the World Test Championship final and the Ashes looming. Smith's form rating is 6.2 and his total points tally 73.
Timm van der Gugten; allrounder; £107K
One of the stars of this year's County Championship Cricket Draft, van der Gugten has been consistently excellent for Glamorgan. Selected by 14 per cent of players he continued his wonderful form in Glamorgan's comprehensive victory over Worcestershire. He took 5 for 48 in Worcestershire's second innings in a dominant display of opening bowling. He is still not costing players too much money so if you don't have van der Gugten in your draft side, what are you doing? Van der Gugten's form rating is 8.9 and his total points tally 1026.
Bargain Buys
Henry Crocombe; bowler; £44K
Sussex's 21-year-old seamer Henry Crocombe looked sharp again during gameweek 6 as his side drew with Leicestershire. The promising bowler took three wickets in the game, taking his total to 14 for the season. If you are scrambling around having filled your team with expensive players and are looking for a cheap player who will do more than make up the numbers, look no further than the consistently impressive Henry Crocombe. Crocombe's form rating is 7.0 and his total points tally 348.
James Harris; allrounder; £93K
An underrated source of wickets, Harris bowled well in gameweek 6 as he gained 118 points for the players who selected him. He took a very impressive 4 for 18 in Worcestershire's first innings and chipped in with another wicket in the second. He could be a useful buy for draft sides as he will be gaining confidence from being a key part of Glamorgan's talented bowling attack. Harris' form rating is 7.2 and his total points tally 196.
Injury List
Jofra Archer (stress fracture - elbow), Steven Finn (knee), Tom Haines (knee)
David Lloyd (hamstring)
The Cricketer's Star Drafts
Joe Leach; bowler; £129K
Worcestershire have had a mixed start to the County Championship season, but Leach has been a consistent performer for them. The Pears man bowled well against Glamorgan, taking 3 for 55 as he dismissed both of their opening batsmen. Leach has taken a healthy 17 wickets so far this season and will be looking to continue this good form against Leicestershire. Leach's form rating is 8.1 and total points tally 688.
Rehan Ahmed; allrounder; £110K
England's teenage spin wonder has only taken six wickets so far in this year's County Championship. However, there is not much expected of him in this early stage of the season when swing and seam reign supreme. He has shown his worth with the bat as he averages 44.28 so far this season. This was shown in gameweek 6 as he batted well for Leicestershire as they secured a draw against Sussex - Ahmed scored an unbeaten 59 in Leicestershire's first innings. He will get wickets this season, so it might be smart to get him in your side now before his price begins to creep up with his form. Ahmed's form rating is 6.7 and total points tally 526.
Bargain Buys
Matthew Waite; bowler; £90K
Worcestershire's Matthew Waite has had a solid County Championship season so far and this has caught the eye of 17 per cent of players who have selected him for their sides. Waite dismissed Marnus Labuschagne in the game against Glamorgan and has been a consistent source of wickets so far this season. He also batted well in gameweek 6, scoring 22 and 45 batting in the No.8 spot for Worcestershire. Waite's form rating is 7.5 and total points tally 728.
Rishi Patel; batter; £69K
The 24-year-old opening bat for Leicestershire scored a good century, his third of the season, under pressure as his side fought to get a draw against Sussex. A powerful batsman capable of striking maximums, Patel looks to be finding form at a crucial time for Leicestershire. At just £69K, players looking to bolster their batting for cheap should seriously consider adding him to their ranks. Patel's form rating is 7.1 and total points tally 788.
Injury List
Matthew Salisbury (calf), Callum Parkinson (side strain)
To sign up for the County Championship or T20 Blast games, head to www.cricketdraft.com
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