Aaron Finch has steered the Melbourne Renegades to a six-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers,

Aaron Finch has steered the Melbourne Renegades to a six-wicket win over Adelaide Strikers, booking the club’s first BBL finals appearance in four years.

Celebrating his 100th KFC BBL game, Finch survived some early scares – includeing a ball hitting his stumps but failing to dislodge the bails – to hit an unbeaten 63 and guide the Renegades home with 10 balls to spare at Marvel Stadium.

Australia’s T20 captain notched his fourth 50 of the tournament and 26th in the BBL, and was joined at the crease by Jon Wells (20no) to finish off the match.

Finch stayed calm as wickets fell around him, including those of experienced stars Martin Guptill and Shaun Marsh, as he built his innings before powering the Renegades in the final 10 overs.

Even on a tricky pitch, the Strikers’ 7-142 never looked seriously defendable as Adelaide’s faint finals hopes ended with their ninth defeat of the tournament.

After winning their first title in 2019, the Renegades have endured three tough seasons before putting in a much-improved campaign in BBL|12.

They will now have a home final after taking care of the Strikers to snap a two-game losing run and will either finish third or fourth depending on Wednesday’s results.

The Sydney Thunder could jump above the Renegades into third if they smash the Melbourne Stars at the MCG and make up the net run-rate gap.

Earlier, Australia wicketkeeper Alex Carey impressed in tough conditions with an outstanding 65 from 47 balls, but all other Strikers batters found it difficult after Finch opted to bowl first.