SKIPPER Aaron Finch led a resurgent Melbourne Renegades to a five-wicket Big Bash League win over the Hobart Hurricanes, while team-mate Chris Gayle caused controversy with his comments to a female interviewer in Hobart.Opener Finch crafted a classy 60 at Bellerive Oval yesterday as the Renegades reached 5 for 141 in just 14 overs in reply to the hosts’ 5 for 140.
The knock included 11 boundaries, but it was fellow opener Gayle who sparked excitement on and off the field.
The former West Indies Test captain raced to 41 from 15 deliveries with four boundaries and three sixes, thrilling the crowd of 16 412.
But not so well received was his sideline interview with Ten Network presenter Mel McLaughlin.
“Hopefully we can win this game and you and I can have a drink after,” Gayle told the reporter who was left lost for words.
It prompted an on-air apology from the network a short time later, and reassurance there would not be such comments made in the future.
Big Bash League boss Anthony Everard said Gayle’s comments were “disrespectful and simply inappropriate”.
“We’ll certainly be talking to him (Gayle) and the Renegades about it,” Everard said.
“There’s just no place in the BBL, or for that matter cricket anywhere, for that sort of behaviour.”
The Hurricanes’ woes started when they lost the toss and were sent in to bat first. It did not improve markedly after that.
Skipper Tim Paine (2) was the first to fall, bowled by Xavier Doherty (2 for 19).
Replacement batsman Kumar Sangakkara (3) faced only eight balls and then the usually reliable George Bailey (0) failed to contribute, caught when trying to loft a shot over mid-off.
It was big-hitting Dan Christian (58) who rescued his side from what would likely have been a disastrous total.
The result keeps Renegades final’s hopes alive, coming after three successive losses which had them struggling towards the bottom of the ladder. (AAP)