Melbourne Renegades captain Aaron Finch remains confident that a place in the finals of BBL04 is not yet out of reach, but admits it's going to be tough.
The Renegades 35-run loss to the Perth Scorchers at the WACA Ground on Boxing Day was their second consecutive defeat in the domestic Twenty20 competition.
They share bottom place on the table with the Melbourne Stars, who are also winless after two games. The Renegades have been well outplayed in both outings, having also suffered an eight-wicket loss to the Sydney Sixers in their opening fixture.
But Finch, who has averaged just 17.5 runs in his two innings, says the squad remains confident of being in the mix at the end of the season. However, he admits it will be a tough task.
"We probably need to win five from six to qualify," he said after the loss in Perth. "We're still positive we can do that. We have the ability, but I think we're just one or 2 per cent off in a few facets of the game, which hurts when you're up against quality opposition.
"We've got a very talented list. Five from six - I think there's been a few other teams in the competition who have been in the same position in past years and ended up getting on a bit of a roll.
"When you get on a roll, you can find yourself winning quite a few in a row."
Last season the Perth Scorchers lost two of their first three games before turning things around and going on to claim the title. But the Renegades have some significant improvements to make if they are to lift and get on that roll.
West Indian Andre Russell leads their averages with 61 after his innings of 43 from 21 balls at the WACA Ground on Friday.
That score is also the highest from a Renegades batsman this season - and came too late, when they already required more than 15 runs per over for victory.
Callum Ferguson has averaged 40 runs in two innings, while only he, Russell, Matthew Wade, Dwayne Bravo and Finch have reached double figures while at the crease. The bowlers haven't fared any better.
After taking just two wickets against the Sixers, they managed only three against the Scorchers.
No bowler has yet taken two wickets in this tournament. The Renegades next game is against the Sydney Thunder at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday.
