Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch dismissed in ‘unusual’ circumstances in Big Bash derby

Australian one-day captain Aaron Finch may well be the Big Bash League’s unluckiest cricketer following yet another “unusual” dismissal.

Aaron Finch of the Melbourne Renegades walks off after he was dismissed by Zahir Khan of the Stars.

Aaron Finch may well be the Big Bash League’s unluckiest cricketer.

The Australian one-day captain has been dismissed in bizarre circumstances during Wednesday’s Melbourne derby at Marvel Stadium.

In the fourth over of the Melbourne Renegades run chase, Afghan tweaker Zahir Khan fired in a full delivery down the legside, which Finch looked to sweep towards fine leg.

But unfortunately, the ball ricocheted off the underside of his thigh guard and bounced into the stumps.

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The 34-year-old threw his head back in disbelief before dejectedly making his way back to the pavilion.

It doesn't get more unlucky than this for Aaron Finch.

Bowled off a deflection from the thigh pad 😫 #BBL10 pic.twitter.com/q4Ot56Qwmx

— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 20, 2021

“You cannot believe it, Aaron Finch cannot believe what has happened,” Fox Cricket commentator Mark Howard said.

“The look on his face, that’s a reflection of the season.”

Former Australian batsman Michael Hussey replied: “That’s one of the unluckiest dismissals you can have.

“And the Stars players, they feel sorry for Finch here too. They know how unlucky he is.”

Finch has endured a horror run of form in the BBL this summer, scoring just 169 runs in 11 innings, averaging 15.39 with a high score of 39.

But what’s most baffling has been the modes of dismissal.

If he isn’t run out at the non-striker’s end by a powerful straight drive, he’ll be caught by the wicketkeeper after glancing towards fine leg.

“If you don’t laugh, you cry,” Finch told Channel 7 after the match.

“I don’t know how it’s ended up back on the stumps. You combine that with leg side and run-out off the bowler’s fingers, it could have been a different season.

“That’s professional cricket. You have to dust yourself off and keep improving and getting better all the time.”

Finch going for the complete set of unusual dismissals. Just needs to be timed out and impale himself on middle stump and he'll be there.

— Daniel Cherny 📰 (@DanielCherny) January 20, 2021

Aaron Finch has found a more unlucky way to get out every game this Big Bash season. Bowled off his pocket, run out at the bowlers’ end, caught behind leg glancing.
Only explanation is he’s sleeping under a ladder in the hub. #BBL10

— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) January 20, 2021

If finch wasn’t captain of the gades - not to mention oz - he’d be lucky not to be dropped for last two games. His luck has been all bad and as a fan, sad to watch. #BBL

— ron reed (@reedrw) January 20, 2021

Did Aaron Finch walk under a ladder while staring at a black cat on Friday the 13th? #BBL10

— Louis Cameron (@LouisDBCameron) January 20, 2021

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Finch’s rough patch in the game’s short format extends back to the Indian Premier League, where he only reached 50 once in 12 innings.

In a brutal reality check, he was axed by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for Australian young gun Josh Philippe towards the end of the tournament.

However, Finch was named in the ICC Men’s T20I Team of the Decade last month, with Glenn Maxwell the only other Australian in the XI.

Mackenzie Harvey put on a T20 masterclass on Wednesday evening, smacking an unbeaten 47 off 21 balls to help the Renegades chase the 159-run target with three balls to spare.

Harvey was supported by teammate Beau Webster, who cracked an unbeaten 22 off nine balls at the death.

The duo hammered 53 runs off 22 balls to snatch victory from the jaws of defeat.

World Cup all-rounder Nathan Coulter-Nile was the chief destroyer with the ball, claiming 3/41 from his four overs.

Earlier, Stars batsman Nick Larkin compiled 61 not out off 47 balls in the first innings, his patient knock featuring eight boundaries and a six.

The Renegades will next face the Brisbane Heat at Docklands Stadium on Saturday afternoon.