Renegades start with a bang

Eclipsing his previous highest score of 93* for Victoria in 2010, Finch posted his maiden Twenty20 ton from just 60 balls as the skipper guided his side home with 10 balls to spare.

With 23,589 in attendance, the KFC T20 Big Bash League started with a bang, quite literally, as Finch’s heroics were shoe horned in between death defying moto-cross stunts, fireworks and a David Hussey cameo.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, the Stars posted 5-167 from their allotted overs with Englishman Luke Wright top-scoring with 53 from 42 balls including four boundaries and a six.

Wright’s departure at the hands of Finch, who could not believe his luck when he switch-hit him straight into the safe of Daniel Harris on the edge of the circle at point, would prove telling.

While Hussey (42 off 31 balls), Cameron White (20 off 14) and Matthew Wade (14 not out off eight) ensured the Stars would post a competitive total, given Finch’s breath-taking form in white ball cricket this summer, the 26-year-old always loomed as the Renegades’ trump card.

 “I needed to get some runs to lead from the front,” Finch said.

“So I’m really pleased with that.”

Sri Lankan spin king Muttiah Muralitharan finished with 0-28 from his allocation, while fellow tweaker Aaron O’Brien took 2-27.

Despite the early loss of Harris for three to Jackson Bird (1-29), Finch and Faf du Plessis, who was brilliant in the field, put on 68 for the second wicket before James Faulkner (1-31) removed the South African for 14 from 17 balls.

With Finch in sparkling touch, Ben Rohrer played the perfect supporting role as he finished unbeaten on 34 from 20 balls, including consecutive sixes off Shane Warne (0-41).

Finch was the man of the moment, however, as he finished not out 111 from just 65 balls including 12 boundaries and four sixes to post the second highest score in Australian domestic Twenty20 cricket.

“We should have been able to defend 167,” Stars coach Greg Shipperd said.

“We’ve been here before. We’ve lost our first game and we were able to regather ourselves and qualify for the semi-finals (last season). No panic.”

To see a full scorecard, click here.