BBL08 Match 23: Bailey's Heroics Can't Counter Finch Flair as 'Gades Beat 'Canes

In the wonderful The Muppet Show there was a skit called “Veterinarian’s Hospital” where the intro overdub said, “the continuing stoooory of a quack who's gone to the dogs”. I am being constantly reminded of that line the more of this season’s Big Bash that I watch, because I really believe the form guide to this summer has gone out the window. Teams are winning against opposition who they have no business in beating, and even though there was an x factor thrown into this evening’s match that gave the Renegades a glimmer of hope, surely it should not have been enough to beat the undefeated Hurricanes team. Once again however this was proven not to be the case.

The Hurricanes have built their season on bowling first and then no matter what total they are chasing being able to track it down. It has been enormously successful, so having been asked to bat first mean they would have to change their method slightly. Their devastating openers Wade and Short have caused massive damage this summer, and along with Doolan have been the mainstay of the top order. So when the Renegades through Kane Richardson and Shinwari were able to dismiss all three in side the first three overs it smashed apart their winning edge and forced the rest of the batting to stand up and find a way through.

McDermott and Bailey were in charge of the rescue rather than just the finish which has been the norm this season. Both were cautious against the bowling and the sluggish Marvel Stadium wicket. They pushed the total to 3/74 off 14 overs before they decided to go harder in order to get a defendable score. From here they scored 71 from the final six overs which was a terrific effort to get the Hurricanes close to a par score at 5/145. McDermott showed off his power skills again to finish on 50 off 43 deliveries, while Bailey again was dependable, brilliant and awesome finishing on 70 not out off 53 deliveries. It was another fantastic innings from the former captain who still shines bright despite not being in calculations for further honours in recent years.

The x factor for the evening came from the return of Aaron Finch to the Renegades side between his lost Test place and before leaving to captain the ODI team. It always looked likely that he would enjoy a return to the white ball format where he could play his strokes against less intense bowling that he has been receiving from the Indians this summer. And so it proved to be. He and Sam harper batted well together, blunting the Hurricanes attack and playing some exhilarating strokes in amongst it. When Harper (32 off 18 balls) and Finch were eventually dismissed, Finch from a direct hit run out at the bowlers end for 42 off 39 deliveries, the Hurricanes were still a theoretical chance of getting out of the game with a win. However, the Renegades winning combo of Mohammed Nabi (26 not out off 22) and Dan Christian (25 not out off 13) finished off the game once again for them, winning with a six with four balls left in the match. Clive Rose did his best for the Hurricanes with the ball, conceding only 15 runs and taking a wicket off his four overs to give the Hobart team a sniff of victory.

It will be interesting to see the Hurricanes next few matches. They lost tonight away from home and having been forced to bat first. Which was the greater consequence of the loss, or was it a combination? No matter what, if they are forced to bat first again in the next game it will be eye opening to see just how they go about it after tonight’s match.