Big Bash: Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch ready to play first game of the season

After limping through Australia’s successful T20 World Cup campaign, captain Aaron Finch has confirmed when he’ll return to action.

Aaron Finch will be back in the Big Bash this week, playing for the first time since Australia’s T20 World Cup win. Picture: Michael Klein

After limping through the T20 World Cup as Australia forged to a historic win, captain Aaron Finch has shelved any running as he prepares for a first Big Bash match of the season this week.

Finch revealed he pushed through the rehab process after knee surgery in September to ensure he could lead Australia at the World Cup, knowing it may catch up with him afterwards.

It did, and he hasn’t played since that triumph in Dubai on November 14, missing the Melbourne Renegades’ opening three games as they try to turn around two consecutive last-place finishes in the Big Bash.

But Finch, 35, is finally ready to suit up, and while hasn’t been doing a lot of running to prepare, he’s readying himself to “hit a lot of balls” before Wednesday to ensure he can start with the required bang.

“We pushed really hard to get back for that (World Cup) and it was a risk well worth taking, but it just probably needed a little bit more time,” Finch said on Monday.

“From the end of the World Cup to now has been a good, solid month of rehab, which has helped.

“I’ll hit a lot of balls in the next couple of days and I’m feeling good at the moment.

“The skill acquisition part of it is something that I don‘t think needs a huge amount (of attention) – at 35 years old I think there’s a decent base to fall back on.”

Aaron Finch jumps for job with the T20 World Cup trophy in Dubai. Picture: Alex Davidson/Getty Images

Finch gave up the captaincy after nine seasons in charge to Nic Maddinson, but the Renegades are still in all-too familiar territory, last on the BBL table with one win from three games.

Without fellow veteran Shaun Marsh, who is expected back after Christmas following a knee injury, the batting line-up has been very inexperienced.

Mackenzie Harvey (146) is the only Renegades batsman with more than 100 runs through the opening three games, nearly double next best Sam Harper (78).

“The last couple of games, batting second, a little bit of inexperience probably creates a bit of chaos at times,” Finch said.

Fast bowler James Pattinson (general soreness) is also a chance of returning from injury on Wednesday night to bolster his team in their showdown with the unbeaten Perth Scorchers.

🔊🆙 @AaronFinch5 👀#GETONREDpic.twitter.com/sdBQsqdLGn

— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) December 19, 2021

Originally published as Big Bash: Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch ready to play first game of the season