Aaron Finch’s return helps Melbourne Renegades end Hobart Hurricanes Big Bash League winning run

Aaron Finch celebrated his return to the Big Bash League by guiding Melbourne Renegades to a crucial win over Hobart Hurricanes but it was Sam Harper’s controversial dismissal that was the big talking point.

Aaron Finch in action for Melbourne Renegades against Hobart Hurricanes.

Aaron Finch celebrated his return to the Big Bash League with the highest individual score of the Melbourne Renegades’ season as the red team ended Hobart’s perfect start to the summer.

Finch entered Monday night’s Marvel Stadium clash “refreshed” after skipping training on Sunday and struck three fours and a towering six before Johan Botha’s direct hit ran him out on 42 (39).

Australia’s ODI captain now flies to Sydney to join the 14-man squad with evidence he is in form despite his omission from the Test team.

RATINGS: WAS FINCH SET UP TO FAIL AS OPENER?

SKIPPER: REFRESHED FINCH READY TO FEAST ON CANES

But Test opener Marcus Harris will replace Finch for Thursday’s clash against Brisbane Heat at the Gabba.

All-rounders Dan Christian and Mohammad Nabi lifted the Renegades to 3-3 as their late hitting ended the Hurricanes’ five-game winning streak.

Nabi crunched a six over cover off James Faulkner to snap the red team’s three-game losing streak with four balls to spare.

Aaron Finch in action for Melbourne Renegades.

Dan Christian helped guide Melbourne Renegades home.

But pressure is building on vice-captain Tom Cooper, who is averaging 9.8 runs after six matches this season.

It was a night for searing paceman with Hurricanes pair Jofra Archer and Riley Meredith and Gades import Usman Shinwari over-heating the speed gun.

Shinwari – who has just four overs as a Renegade left – hit 141.7kmh in his second over and is No.8 in the BBL for economy rate (6.5).

HARPING ON ABOUT DRS

CRICKET Australia doesn’t want to introduce DRS into Big Bash matches because it’ll slow them down. But honestly, how impatient would fans have to be to lose interest in a 30-second window as a wicket is determined? Sam Harper found the middle of the bat quicker than anyone else and shouldn’t have had to go on 32 (18). Clive Rose’s lbw shout always looked like it was sliding down the leg-side and yet the finger went up. With Harper smoking them and captain Finch at the non-striker’s end, you can bank on an appeal being lodged if one was available. The lack of DRS probably cost Melbourne Stars the title three years ago, when Thunder batsman Usman Khawaja survived two lucky calls, and that should’ve triggered the change. Surely now it is time. They even have it in Bangladesh, albeit without adequate technology to back it up.

Clive Rose celebrates the wicket of Sam Harper.

CURATOR GETS A WICKET

MARK Waugh let rip at Marvel Stadium. “The BBL wickets at Marvel have been ordinary,” Waugh said. “The batsmen have really found it tough because the wickets (across the BBL) have been pretty poor and a lot of batsmen haven’t been able to adjust to spinners.” It was harsh but valid after a run-rate of just 5.9 in the first two matches and a wicket every 13.9 balls. But the curator, new to the job this summer, would’ve slept easier and he has Ben McDermott and George Bailey’s 102-run stand to thank. Players complained the sweaty pitch was wet with moisture in the first two games but the roof stayed open on Monday night and the runs started to flow. Maybe that was a factor.

LEFT WHITE OUT

CAMERON White used the Big Bash to play himself back into Australian colours 12 months ago in the selection shock of the summer. This season White has played himself out of the Melbourne Renegades’ line-up with captain Aaron Finch dumping his long-time teammate. White is 35 and coming out of contract at both the Renegades and Victoria and that would leave him feeling uneasy. Young batsmen Mackenzie Harvey, Will Sutherland and, in the state set-up, Will Pucovski are advancing, so you hope Victoria’s longest serving captain can rekindle his form quickly. White averaged 12 runs at a strike-rate of just 85.7 in the first five games while keeper Tim Ludeman, 31, has also been benched this season.

Aaron Finch checks on D'arcy Short.

SHORT BIG ON HONESTY

IT wasn’t quite as smooth as Adam Gilchrist in the 2003 World Cup semi-final, but Hobart blaster D’Arcy Short walked on Monday night … we think. Short tried to pull a 143kmh bouncer from Shinwari, but gloved it straight into the air and the Pakistan import took the catch standing next to him. Then, confusion reigned. The Renegades appealed, umpire John Ward shook his head, Short took one step and then the finger was raised. Dan Christian’s exasperated – and then elated – expression in the background said it all, and the drama was complete as Finch spoke to Short as he walked off. Suspect that was to check on Short’s health after the ball collided with his helmet. The prized wicket left Hobart 3/11 and with its middle order – which has hardly raised a sweat all summer – exposed. And they did the job.