Melbourne Stars players made headlines for their touching gesture towards Melbourne Renegades player Aaron Finch, who is playing his final game. The Melbourne derby, which is also the 36th match of the Big Bash League (BBL) 2023-24 will take place at Melbourne’s Docklands Stadium.
The game also marks the farewell match for the great Aaron Finch. The batsman will hang up his boots after the current match. He received a standing ovation from the crowd when he stepped up to the crease in the first innings after Melbourne Renegades opted to bat first.
After Melbourne Renegades restricted Melbourne Stars to a total of 137 runs, Aaron Finch was asked to open the innings. The Melbourne Stars team made sure to give the batsman their best send-off, as when he came out to bat, they gave him a guard of honour.
Here is the video:
For the last time…
Aaron Finch comes out to bat in the Big Bash. #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/jmmQi3n0cY
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 13, 2024
Earlier, before the match, Melbourne Renegades organized a special entrance for Aaron Finch. They also retired the number 5 jersey in honor of the batsman. This was the first time in league history that a franchise retired a player’s jersey number.
Aaron Finch has been a legend for the Melbourne Renegades in the league. He has been a part of the franchise since the beginning of the league and is the one who scores the most runs for them. The overall batsman is the second best run-getter in the tournament with 3311 runs in 107 matches at an average of around 34. He has also hit two tons in the league.
Aaron Finch also captained the Melbourne Renegades for a decent amount of time and led them to their only title win during the 2018-19 season. He played a huge role in making the franchise one of the most successful teams in the leagues.
Aaron Finch, before playing the last game of his career, also expresses his emotions. He highlighted 13 years of his career playing for the team and admitted he would be sad once he left for the last time.
BBL 2023-24: Watch – Aaron Finch caught by best friend Glenn Maxwell in his last innings
Aaron Finch, however, did not have a fairytale ending with the bat. The batting maestro got a three-ball duck. He got out in the third over of the innings. Joel Parris threw a long pitch just outside and the batter went down the track.
Aaron Finch tried to cut off the movement of the ball and it appeared to stop on him as he tried to hit it over the offside mark. The ball caught the top edge of the bat and was caught by his best friend Glenn Maxwell, who easily caught it midway through the game.
When Aaron Finch walked off the field, he received a standing ovation from the crowd. The batter thanked the fans in the stands by raising his bat as he took the long walk back to the pavilion. His last innings in cricket lasted just three balls.
Here is the video:
The end of a fabulous career.
Aaron Finch is fired in his farewell match, caught by his great partner, Glenn Maxwell. #BBL13 pic.twitter.com/J38pyUIATE
— KFC Big Bash League (@BBL) January 13, 2024