Perth Scorchers have held off Sydney Thunder to continue an unbeaten start to the Women’s Big Bash League season, claiming their third win from as many games in a 17-run victory.
On one of the competition’s best batting surfaces at Drummoyne Oval, captain Beth Mooney led the Scorchers to a first-innings total of 3-183, making 80 not out from 55 balls.
And although the Thunder at times had momentum in their favour in a see-sawing chase, they were eventually bowled out for 166 in the game’s penultimate over.
A third win from as many games has moved Perth to the top of the WBBL ladder, although second-placed Sydney Sixers hold a game in hand.
Finisher Freya Kemp, who smashed 30 from only 10 deliveries to help the Scorchers reach a competitive total, said she was stoked with how her side had started the season.
“It was a really good performance today, to defend that total that we got,” Kemp told The West Australian.
“Obviously, Moons set it up really nicely and for the bowlers to defend that (total) on a good wicket was really pleasing.
“We had a good score that we thought we could defend, but they had some really good starts from different players. The bowlers did really well to hold their nerve and get the job done.”
Out-of-form Scorchers opener Katie Mack was given a life when Tahlia Wilson missed a stumping chance before she was off the mark, but departed for a scratchy 10 from 15 balls after the Thunder wicketkeeper made no mistake the second time around.
Mooney and Devine kept the scoreboard ticking over and upped their aggression when the power surge was taken in the 12th over, with the former slog-sweeping a six to bring up her 49th half-century in the competition.
Just as an imposing total looked in the offing, the Thunder surrendered only 21 runs from the next four overs, which brought about the surprising tactical retirement of Devine for 42 from 39 balls.
Kemp justified the bold move by clubbing 30 from only 10 deliveries at the end of the innings, including three sixes. The England international said she put “a lot of work” into her ability to clear the boundary.
“I’m just glad I was able to do that role that needed to be done for the team today,” Kemp said.
“I was just trying to get the girls up to a good total that we could defend. We know it’s a hard place to defend and it was a really good pitch.”
For the second game running, the Scorchers made the best possible start to the second innings through Chloe Ainsworth, who bowled Australia star Georgia Voll with an in-swinger from its very first ball.
Despite the early blow and subsequent loss of Anika Learoyd (22), the Thunder made a fast start to their chase, managing 41 runs while field restrictions were in place in the first four overs and taking star Scorchers leg-spinner Alana King’s first over for 17.
Phoebe Litchfield appeared in ominous touch until an ill-advised attempt to ramp Ainsworth sent her on her way for 34 from 19 balls, and dangerous internationals Nadine de Klerk (two) and Heather Knight (27) fell to Scorchers imports Devine (2-31) and Fatima Sana (1-15) shortly after.
Just as Perth appeared to have seized the initiative, Laura Harris threatened to wrestle it back, until King accounted for the dangerous lower-order hitter by bowling her for 29 from 12 balls.
Tahlia Wilson (25 from 19) following in the next over left too large a task to the Thunder’s lower order, which King (4-35) ran through in the final over to claim the third-best bowling figures of her WBBL career.
