Renegades’ bowlers stifle Thunder after Finch’s burst

Melbourne Renegades 7 for 179 (Finch 63, Ferguson 38) beat Sydney Thunder 131 (Gibson 39, Cummins 37) by 49 runsScorecard and ball-by-ball details

After failing to win a game on their own deck last season, Melbourne Renegades began their 2016-17 Big Bash League campaign with a clinical home victory, defending 179 with ease to leave Sydney Thunder’s title defence in deep trouble after two heavy losses in three nights.

Finch formidable, and Hogg’s tongue wags again

The Renegades’ foundation was laid by captain Aaron Finch, who clubbed 63 off 37 at the top of the order. Finch’s knock was defined by clean hitting on a ground where he averages 56 in this competition. It proved to be the leading contribution on the night, and highlighted the size of the hole he will leave in the side when international duty calls in January.

No shot was better than Finch’s lofted strike, described by Ricky Ponting as “absolutely magnificent” on commentary, off Clint McKay. Later, he muscled Fawad Ahmed for consecutive sixes over extra cover. He holed out off the next ball, but his job was done.

For pure enjoyment, there was no better moment than Brad Hogg’s two-wicket over that extinguished any realistic chance of a Thunder comeback. The ever-smiling left-arm wrist spinner was playing in his first game for the Renegades after crossing over from Perth Scorchers. Across four tidy …

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