Aaron Finch of the Renegades prepares to take the field during the BBL Round 9 match between the Melbourne Renegades and the Melbourne Stars at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne, Saturday, January 13, 2024. (AAP Image/Joel Carrett)
Australia’s most successful and longest-serving T20 international captain has been announced as another guest speaker for the Denliquin District Cricket Association Reunion later this year.
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Also captain for One-Day Internationals, Victoria and the Melbourne Renegades, Aaron Finch was captain of T20 World Cup and Big Bash League winning sides.
He was also a generational opening batter in world cricket, averaging 34.28 and two centuries in T20Is and 38.89 and 17 centuries in ODIs, along with a strike rate of 142.53 in T20Is and 87.73 in ODIs.
He also holds the highest-ever T20 international score of 172.
Originally from Colac, Finch managed five test matches and is currently a part-time commentator and golf enthusiast.
Finch will feature at the reunion’s Sportsman’s Night on October 12 along with current Australian coach Andrew McDonald and MC Tim Ludeman.
Those wishing to attend have been encouraged to purchase tickets ASAP for catering purposes and venue confirmation.
Past DDCA clubs have been encouraged to book a table to get teammates together and enjoy a great night.
Tickets are now on sale for $70, with dinner included. Drinks will be available for purchase on the night.
There is also an option to donate to the DDCA Future Fund, to continue to improve the facilities in the Deniliquin and district area.
This week’s feature story from the past is on the 2002 one day champions - West.
The post-match report in the Pastoral Times read as follows:
West one day champions
West were crowned the Hussey’s Roadliners One Day Cup champions in the Deniliquin District Cricket Association competition on Sunday after a convincing win over RSL.
With a full line up, West were confident and after winning the toss they sent RSL in to bat.
RSL got off to a slow start, losing early wickets in the face of a tight attack from West and were 4/32 after 16 overs.
Tim Hillier was the backbone of the innings, top scoring with 53.
He combined with John Fisicaro for a fifth wicket stand of 48, to restore some respectability to the score.
Run outs proved costly with Beehag, Fisicaro and O’Brien all falling short of the crease as they attempted to push the run rate along and another collapse saw RSL quickly slide to 7/89 and struggling to make a competitive total.
Brian King was best with the ball, with an extremely economical spell netting 3/13 off nine overs.
RSL managed to last out 44 overs, with a disappointing total of 127 on the board at the change of innings.
They needed early wickets, and there looked to be some hope when West opener Kelly Cox fell in the first over.
But Peter Rae and Adrian Smith combined for a 59 run partnership to set up West’s victory.
The wicket of Rae fell into the safe hands of John Fisicaro, off the bowling of Xavier Maher, bring Jarod Lyons to the crease.
He scored a quickfire 43, helping his team across the line and to 4/131 in the 41st over.
Final score: RSL 9/127 def by West 4/131.
The 2002 West team (back, from left) Peter Rae, Adrian Smith, Bryan Kemnitz, Rhys Westcott, Chris Arnold, Kelly Cox and Troy Bartlett; (front) Matthew Merlo, Renatto Marchetti, David Westcott, Jarod Lyons and Brian King.
