All-star Renegades chase Heat's 180

The teams

The match in one tweet: Melbourne united! Captain Finch and Stars convert White lead star-studded Renegades to victory after Heat post 5-180 #BBL05

The hero: Aaron Finch was overshadowed in the build-up to this match by the arrival in Australia of his opening partner Chris Gayle but the national T20 captain stole the show in his side's run chase, striking the ball cleanly from the outset and pacing the Renegades' innings perfectly. And it was no small target, either; the Heat had done brilliantly to get to 5-180 from their 20 overs.

WATCH: Finch's unreal maximum

The support cast: Cameron White (55 from 41) was the Stars captain this time last year but he showed tonight that he's crossed the divide without a hiccup, cruising to a classy half-century in support of Finch. Fellow new boy Xavier Doherty claimed the impressive figures of 2-29 from his four overs, taking the key wickets of internationals Lendl Simmons (29 from 25) and Joe Burns (16 from 16) with clever variations in pace and flight. Dwayne Bravo (22no from nine) was brilliant in closing out the match and fellow West Indian Gayle (23 from 16) also played his part as the Renegades powered to a sizeable total in style.  

The consolation efforts: James Hopes (24no off 12) and Ben Cutting (30no off 14) put on an unbroken 51 from 22 balls and were helped by a quick-fire 35 (20) from Chris Lynn to help the Heat to a strong total. Ultimately, it wasn't strong enough.  

WATCH: Lynn launches two massive sixes  

The moment: There were nervous tremors in the Renegades camp and murmurs of hope among the Gabba faithful when Finch and White fell in consecutive deliveries. But with 25 needed off 12, Bravo powered a pair of sixes over the rope and put one Renegades foot over the finish line. It was clinical, composed batting from a man renowned as a world-class finisher.

WATCH: Bravo's crunch six

The catch: Tom Beaton took a screamer in the outfield. Watch this… 

WATCH: Beaton's brilliant diving catch

The nightmare: We don’t often include this category but we couldn't ignore the performance of hapless Renegades debutant Guy Walker. The young quick was hit for four from his first ball and then had a regulation chance dropped moments later. On two separate occasions he was hit for consecutive sixes and after three overs and 47 runs conceded, he was pulled from the attack. Fortunately, he was on the winning side, so he had something to smile about at night's end. 

The stat: It was a night for the stats nerds, so we can give you three: Finch is the first man to 1000 Big Bash runs; Gayle is first to 600 sixes in T20 cricket; and the Finch-White stand of 111 was the Renegades' best for the second wicket.

WATCH: Gayle slams 600th T20 six

The wash-up: Hard to read too much into this one. We already knew the Renegades' batting line-up was top drawer, and the Heat's senior players stood up to post a quality total. Neither side's strength is with the ball – and that's what could cost them both moving forward.