Sydney Thunder are on track to break their drought of 19 consecutive BBL games without a win after bowling Melbourne Renegades out for 104 on Tuesday.
The Renegades narrowly avoided the lowest BBL innings total at Etihad Stadium, which is the 9-102 by Hobart Hurricanes in December 2012.
Captain Mike Hussey’s Thunder are winless after six games this season but showed plenty of determination on Tuesday night in 40-plus degree heat at paceman Gurinder Sandhu led the way with 3-21.
Sandhu made a huge breakthrough with the second delivery of the match, bowling the competition’s leading runscorer Aaron Finch for a duck. The opener has been in sensational form, scoring 262 runs at an average of 52.40 in the BBL plus a century in Sunday’s one-day international against England at the MCG.
Test squad member Alex Doolan (eight) also fell victim to Sandhu after failing to clear mid on with the total on 11.
Ben Rohrer (22) added 50 for the third wicket with Dan Harris, triggering a collapse of 8-43.
Michael Hill (seven) was stumped off the bowling of Ajantha Mendis at 4-70.
The Renegades lost a third wicket in consecutive overs as Harris (30) gloved a catch to cover off Chris Tremain’s bowling.
Dirk Nannes removed Aaron O’Brien (five) and Peter Nevill (14) became Sandhu’s third victim.
James Pattinson (three) walked off shaking his head after being given out caught behind to Mendis, who claimed 2-15 from his four overs.
Tailenders Fawad Ahmed and Nathan Rimmington were run out in a fitting end to a poor batting display from the home side that lasted 18.3 overs.
Finch’s side remain hopeful of a semi-final berth despite a 2-3 win-loss record and have former Test quick James Pattinson to lead their attack on Tuesday night.
The Renegades went into Tuesday’s game with only one batsman averaging over 25 for the tournament and the early loss of the in-form Finch proved crucial.