Finch struck three boundaries and four sixes during his knock of 63
Image courtesy of: Zimbio
Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch led by example as he smashed a magnificent 63 to lead his side to a convincing 49-run win over the Sydney Thunder.
For the Renegades, it was the perfect start to their Big Bash League (BBL) campaign, but for the Thunder, it was their second successive loss after they lost to their crosstown rivals, the Sydney Sixers, by nine wickets on the opening day of the tournament.
Being put in to bat first, the Renegades got off to a solid start before losing opener Marcus Harris and Cameron White in quick succession for 19 and one respectively.
Despite the two quick blows, Finch kept his foot on the gas and raced past his fifty. However, not long after, he was dismissed by Fawad Ahmed for 63 off 37 balls, which included three boundaries and four sixes.
Even though the Renegades continued to lose wickets at regular intervals, a quickfire 24 from Dwayne Bravo and 38 from Callum Ferguson saw the Melbourne-based franchise finish on 179/7 off their 20 overs.
Andre Russell was the pick of the bowlers with two wickets, while Ahmed, Pat Cummins, Clint McKay and Chris Green chipped in with one wicket apiece.
Chasing 180 to win, the Thunder’s batting line-up, with the exception of three players, failed to have an impact whatsoever as they were unable to reach double figures.
Opener Ryan Gibson, skipper Ben Rohrer and Cummins scored 39, 30 and 37 respectively, but their efforts went in vain as the Thunder fell well short of their target.
Bravo, Sunil Narine and Brad Hogg took two wickets apiece, while Tom Cooper and Chris Tremain claimed one wicket each.
Finch was named Man of the Match.