Star-studded Melbourne Renegades line-up show they can handle the Heat

The Melbourne Renegades star-studded batting line-up stood tall to deliver their side a seven-wicket victory over the Brisbane Heat at the Gabba and get their Big Bash League campaign off to a flying start.

A century stand between captain Aaron Finch and Cameron White for the second wicket was the catalyst behind the Renegades chasing down the Heat’s total of 180 with three balls to spare.

Finch smashed 65 from 45 balls in a man-of-the match performance while White, after a scratchy start, finished with 55 from 41 balls in the 200th Twenty20 match of his career.

It was an impressive debut for the Renegades by White, who crossed from rivals Melbourne Stars over the off-season.

Finch and White combined for a 111-run stand before both were dismissed in consecutive balls in the 17th over.

But West Indian Dwayne Bravo blasted two huge sixes and a boundary to finish unbeaten on 22 off nine balls while Matthew Wade (11 not out) hit two boundaries in his six balls at the crease, including the winning runs.

Earlier, the Heat blasted their way to 3-180 thanks to late cameos by Ben Cutting (30 off 14 balls) and James Hopes (24 off 12), who smashed 49 off the last three overs of their innings.

New captain Chris Lynn top-scored for the Heat with 35 while the side’s West Indian recruit Lendl Simmons (29) and Nathan Reardon (28) all got starts but couldn’t go on with their innings.

Spinner Xavier Doherty was the best bowler on the night, finishing with 2-29 in his debut for the Renegades.