On Tuesday, Aaron Finch will become the first player in BBL history to captain a club in 50 games.
Finch, who also captains Australia in limited overs matches, has been the Melbourne Renegades’ leader since BBL|02.
In his first 49 games as skipper, he boasts a 26-23 win-loss record, and most memorably led the team to its inaugural title winning triumph against the Melbourne Stars in BBL|08.
He heads a list containing a who’s who of the first nine years of the Big Bash, including former teammate Cameron White, who is ranked third with 32 games as captain.
Finch originally took the reins from Andrew McDonald, who led the club in the first season of the Big Bash League in 2011-2012.
Somewhat serendipitously, McDonald later coached the club and, along with Finch, presided over the BBL|08 title.
“I think his biggest asset is his positivity,” says Finch’s veteran teammate Tom Cooper.
“If you doubt yourself, he always wants you to and will tell you to back yourself in and take the attacking option.
“I think it puts a lot of faith in his players, both old and new, to take the game on, which is what you’ve got to do in Twenty20 cricket.”
Tuesday’s match against the Hobart Hurricanes will be broadcast live on Fox Sports from 2.45pm (AEDT).
Most BBL matches as captain*
49 – Aaron Finch (Melbourne Renegades)
47 – Moises Henriques (Sydney Sixers)
32 – Cameron White (Melbourne Renegades / Melbourne Stars)
31 – Johan Botha (Adelaide Strikers / Sydney Sixers) / Adam Voges (Perth Scorchers) / Shane Watson (Sydney Thunder)
29 – George Bailey (Hobart Hurricanes)
Name of Author: Melbourne Renegades
Melbourne Renegades are an Australian professional men’s Twenty20 franchise cricket club based in Melbourne, Australia. They compete in the Australian Twenty20 cricket competition, the Big Bash League.