Big Bash: Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch has doubts about X-factor rule

Melbourne Renegades and Australian T20 captain Aaron Finch thinks the Big Bash super-sub rule may go unused.

Australian captain Aaron Finch will take the reins of the Melbourne Renegades in the Big Bash on Saturday. Picture: Morgan Hancock/Getty Images

Aaron Finch doesn’t think the new Big Bash rules introduced this season are gimmicky but concedes the X-factor substitute may not get much of a run.

The Australian white-ball captain will put on his red uniform on Saturday and captain the Melbourne Renegades against the Perth Scorchers after only linking up with his teammates on Wednesday.

Having been focused on his national duties for six games against India, Finch conceded he wasn’t as well versed on the tactical implementation of the three changes as his teammates who had used them in a series of practice matches.

The power surge, an extra two overs with only two fielders outside the inner circle, which is called by the batting side, looms as the major innovation this season.

Finch, who in his role with the Australian Cricketers Association was part of the process that created the new rules, said he was a fan of that move.

But while he dismissed suggestions the new rules weren’t necessary, he did think the “X-factor”, which allows teams to substitute a player at the 10-over mark of the first innings, could go unused.

“Trying to innovate and get the game moving forward is a really good thing,” Finch said on Friday.

“The split power play, I really enjoy that actually. It’s going to be an opportunity for teams to try and pinch an over. That’s a huge advantage. It’s going to be a real tactical decision when you do take that.

“Does it give teams a big advantage if they leave it really late and try and maximise those last two overs? I don’t think it’s gimmicky. It’s worth a go at it.

“The substitute player, I am not convinced that 10 overs into a 40-over game is enough time to make a call to sub somebody out. I don’t think it will get used a huge amount.”

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Fresh hair cut ✅✅@BBL only days away ✅✅✅#GETONRED pic.twitter.com/DWmSdupAHd

— Melbourne Renegades (@RenegadesBBL) December 9, 2020

Finch said he was over a small glute strain that forced him to miss the second T20 against India.

Finch has been on the road since August, but he said he was “100 per cent” to start the Big Bash, which includes two games in two days for the Renegades.

“I had a little niggle with my glute, which was a small strain in there,” he said.

“There was quite a lot of sharp pain when I initially did it. But then the pain went right down. It was still there but it was a dull pain, a standard injury. No issues going into the game tomorrow night.”

Finch confirmed 18-year-old batsman Jake Fraser-McGurk would make his BBL debut against the Thunder.

“It’s exciting,” Finch said.

“He’s a super talent and someone who has all the shots. He has all the confidence in the world too. I think he analyses the game and thinks about the game really well.”

Originally published as Big Bash: Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch has doubts about X-factor rule