Perth Scorchers kept their unbeaten start to WBBL|12 alive, beating the Sydney Thunder by 17 runs and moving to the top of the table. Captain Beth Mooney and spinner Alana King led the way.
Sophie Devine’s team-first decision to self-retire opened the door for the win. After Devine’s exit, the Scorchers smashed 47 runs off the last three overs to post 3-183. They then bowled out the Thunder for 166 in 19 overs.
Mooney and Devine Pave the Way
Mooney was in top form, finishing 80 not out and reaching her competition-record 49th half-century. Devine, the former captain, struggled for rhythm and made 42 off 39. She scored just 10 runs from her last 16 deliveries before voluntarily ending her 39-ball innings. England allrounder Freya Kemp came in and crushed 30 off 10.
“Sometimes when you’re batting, no matter how hard you try, it just doesn’t come off, and Soph recognised that,” Mooney said. “It’s hard watching a six-hitter walk off the field, but Freya came out and absolutely whacked it.”
Ainsworth, Devine and King Strike
Scorchers spearhead Chloe Ainsworth claimed 2-24 for the second straight game. She struck with the first delivery of the Thunder’s innings, bowling Georgia Voll, and then removed the dangerous Phoebe Litchfield for 34.
When Heather Knight (27) was stumped by Mooney off Devine (2-31), the match looked over. The hosts still gave themselves a chance when Laura Harris (29) and Tahlia Wilson (25) blasted 35 runs off the two-over power surge. Champion leg-spinner Alana King then returned to the attack and took 4-35, destroying the lower order.
Injury Scare and Standings
Scorchers bowler and Pakistan captain Fatima Sana went off the ground sore during the second innings but returned to play out the match.
The win sends Mooney’s side clear at the top of the table. They hold an extra game and win in hand over the Sydney Sixers.
What’s Next
Perth Scorchers face the Melbourne Stars next in a rematch of Monday’s low-scoring but tight encounter. The Stars will be looking for revenge after suffering a 15-run loss in their last meeting. Sydney Thunder will face cross-town rivals Sydney Sixers in a derby at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.