Finch smashes 111 as Renegades down Stars

Saturday, 8 December 2012 00:00 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

Big Bash Twenty20 favourites the Melbourne Stars, led by Shane Warne, have been thrashed by eight wickets by the Melbourne Renegades in the season-opener at Etihad Stadium.

The match attracted a crowd of 23,589 on Friday night and the highlight was Renegades skipper Aaron Finch’s unbeaten 111 off just 65 balls to steer his side home with 10 balls to spare.

Legspin great Warne conceded 0-41 from his two overs after stating earlier this week he felt, at the age of 43, he could still baffle the Poms if selected for next year’s Ashes series.

England international Luke Wright top-scored with 53 for the Stars who reached 5-167 from their 20 overs.

The Renegades responded with 2-168 with Ben Rohrer (34 not out) lending solid support to Finch, who blasted 12 fours and four sixes.

Earlier, David Hussey paced the Stars’ innings beautifully at No.4 and was out in the last over for 42. Test cricket’s leading wicket-taker Muttiah Muralitharan claimed 0-28 for the Renegades from his four overs.

The Sri Lankan spin wizard was taunted by the crowd who chanted “no-ball” during his opening over.

Spinner Aaron O’Brien took 2-27 for the Renegades.

Ex-Renegade Brad Hodge was booed on his way to the crease and scored 28 before the No.3 was run out, becoming the first BBL player to fall victim to the new design of bails which flash red on impact.

Even though it was a Renegades’ home game, the applause was deafening for Warne when the retired Test great brought himself on to bowl.

But the home fans soon got behind their skipper Finch who hit Warne for two successive sixes in his 19-run opening over.

Warne dropped a simple catch at mid-wicket when Faf du Plessis was on 13, although it wasn’t costly as the South Africa international fell in the following over for 14.

Rohrer also feasted on Warne’s bowling with two sixes in the 14th over which cost 22 runs.

Pre-match entertainment included a series of upside-down motorcycle stunts from the Crusty Demons. The innings break was punctuated by more mid-air stunts and fireworks.