Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch dismissed for golden duck

Aaron Finch’s Big Bash League campaign has gone from bad to worse, with the Renegades captain suffering a nightmare tournament.

Aaron Finch of the Renegades.

Aaron Finch’s Big Bash League campaign has gone from bad to worse, with the Melbourne Renegades captain dismissed for a golden duck at Adelaide Oval on Tuesday evening.

After the Renegades were set a target of 172 for victory, Finch was dismissed first ball in arguably the most unfortunate circumstances — strangled down leg.

Adelaide Strikers paceman Harry Conway started with a loose delivery down the legside, which Finch looked to flick towards square leg.

However, the Australian one-day captain only managed to edge the delivery through to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, who claimed a smart catch diving low to his left.

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Finch dejectedly made his way back to the pavilion, throwing away his gloves and helmet in disgust as he approached the tunnel.

The 34-year-old was then spotted fuming in the dugout as his team’s top-order crumbled in Adelaide.

“I’m stunned,” former Australian bowler Damien Fleming said on Channel 7. “There’s no worse way to get out other than run out down the nonstriker’s (end).

“No worse feeling. You can see he was disappointed when he walked off.”

Aaron Finch of the Renegades.

It was the latest in a series of failures for the explosive right-hander — he has scored 35, 12, 20, 39, 18, 8 and 0 in the Big Bash this season.

Retired sports journalist Ron Reed tweeted: “What a s**t show BBL10 is becoming for Finch, one of the best blokes in the game. And for all of us who watch the Renegades mainly to see him bat.”

The Renegades fell 60 runs short of the target, suffering their seventh consecutive loss in the T20 tournament.

After winning their maiden BBL title in February 2019, the Melbourne-based club look destined to secure their second-consecutive wooden spoon.

They have now lost 18 of their last 22 matches since the unforgettable 2018/19 grand final in Melbourne.

Aaron Finch follows being run out from a deflected straight drive to glancing one down the leg side for a first-ball duck. No wonder the helmet and gloves were given a helping hand towards the dressing room. #BBL10

— Andrew McGlashan (@andymcg_cricket) January 5, 2021

If the Renegades are going to win this, Finch needs to...

Never mind... 😓#BBL10

— Brett McKay (@BMcSport) January 5, 2021

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Jake Weatherald top-scored for the Strikers on Tuesday, hammering 51 off 25 balls in an explosive knock which featured four sixes.

He was well-supported by Ryan Gibson, who contributed 43 off 31 balls, while Pakistan international Imad Wasim and Aussie paceman Kane Richardson each claimed two wickets.

In response, the Renegades were able to snare the Bash Boost point before an ugly collapse in the middle overs saw them lose 9/44.

Strikers paceman Wes Agar and veteran bowler Peter Siddle each took three wickets in the run chase.

“There’s been some really dumb batting this season,” Finch told Channel 7 after the defeat.

“Four games to get bowled out inside your 20 overs, and a few of them inside 13 overs, it’s just some dumb cricket.

“At times we’ve been brilliant … when the pressure comes on we’re not getting it done.”

The Renegades and Strikers will face off again at Adelaide Oval on Friday evening, with the first ball scheduled for 6:10pm AEDT.