Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Half-centuries from Heather Knight and Anika Learoyd have been in vain as the Scorchers continued their unbeaten start to the WBBL season with a four-wicket victory over the Sydney Thunder in Perth.
Knight pummelled 71 from 46 balls and Learoyd (53 off 44) also produced the goods as the visitors posted 5-159 at the WACA Ground on Wednesday.
The Scorchers, despite being without injured captain Beth Mooney (quad tightness), reached the victory target with nine balls to spare, improving their season record to a perfect 5-0.
The Thunder slipped to 2-3.
There was no standout innings from the home side, but the work of Sophie Devine (37), Katie Mack (31), Mikayla Friday (24), Chloe Piparo (20 not out off 16 balls) and Chloe Ainsworth (15no off eight) ensured Perth got over the line.
After winning the bat flip and electing to bat, the Thunder stumbled to 2-18 before Knight and Learoyd turned their fortunes around.
Knight thumped 12 boundaries and Learoyd cracked five fours and a six as the pair combined for a 128-run partnership.
Pakistan international Fatima Sana was the most economical Scorchers bowler with 1-26 off four overs, while spinner Alana King (1-30 off four) and Ainsworth (1-22 off three) were also key contributors.
Perth were cruising at 1-86 in the 10th over in their run chase.
But when Devine was bowled by Nadine de Klerk (1-30) and Mack hit a Jemma Barsby (1-19) full toss straight back to the bowler in the space of seven balls, a few wobbles set in.
Mikayla Friday’s disastrous run-out and Sana’s second-ball duck reduced the Scorchers to 6-133, with the team still needing 27 runs for victory off 27 balls.
Piparo and Ainsworth held their cool to get Perth over the line, with the Scorchers (5-0) and Sydney Sixers (4-0) the only unbeaten teams this season.
