Aaron Finch in Stunning Form Ahead of the BBL

Hard-hitting opener Aaron Finch has made a statement few days before the start of this year’s Big Bash League (BBL) by smashing 64 runs off just 29 balls in Melbourne Renegades second win in the practice game against Brisbane Heat in Maroochydore.

The Renegades crushed to victory with seven overs to spare after restricting a relatively weak Heat side for 136 runs for the loss of six wickets in their quota of 20 overs, who were playing without their star player Brendon McCullum and Chris Lynn.

The Renegades captain dominated a 75-run opening stand with Marcus Harris before getting cleaned by leg-spinner Mitchell Swepson. Harris (47*) and Cameron White (20*) took over where Finch left off to ensure that Renegades starts their BBL campaign against Hobart at Blundstone Arena on Thursday on a positive note.

Earlier, Renegades were good with the ball as Kane Richardson topped the bowling chart picking up two wickets for 27 runs and Finch removed the Brisbane captain Joe Burns for eight during his one over, which cost him three.

Finch seemed satisfied with his teams’ performance; however, he admitted that side is not yet settled.

“It’s far from settled. One really positive thing that we’ve got going into the first game is that we’ve probably got 14 or 15 guys who are a realistic chance of playing in that first game. It’s great to have options with how you structure up your team. When you’re trying to find guys to fill spots, that can be a dangerous place to be. [We] couldn’t ask for much more for a lead-in to a Big Bash,” Finch was heard saying after the match.

Finch further mentioned that the team management would wait at least for the first game before announcing the replacement of injured James Pattinson and Guy Walker. Young seamer Xavier Crone is one of the front-runners to fill one of the spots.