Scorchers Dominate Thunder with a 74-Run Victory

The Perth Scorchers handed Sydney Thunder their second loss of the season, cruising to a commanding 74-run win at Drummoyne Oval. Sophie Devine’s explosive 48 and Dayalan Hemalatha’s steady 41 helped the Scorchers post a formidable total of 171/7. The Scorchers’ bowlers then dismantled the Thunder for just 97 runs, with offspinner Amy Louise-Edgar starring with three wickets.

The Scorchers’ innings began with a setback as Beth Mooney, their leading run-scorer, was run out for just seven by Tahlia Wilson. However, Chloe Piparo and Hemalatha got the innings rolling with early boundaries. Piparo’s dismissal by Chamari Athapaththu at the end of the PowerPlay left the Scorchers at 43/2.

Thunder’s bowlers briefly slowed the scoring rate, but Hemalatha reignited the innings in the ninth over, smashing Taneale Peschel for 18 runs, including two fours and a six. Athapaththu struck again, dismissing Hemalatha soon after, leaving the Scorchers at 114/4 in the 15th over. Amy Jones had already fallen to Shabnim Ismail earlier that same over, adding pressure on Devine to deliver.

Devine took charge, hammering 20 runs off Jo-Johnson in the 17th over. Partnering with Mikayla Hinkley, the duo added another 20 runs in the 18th over. Although the Scorchers lost Devine and Alana King in the final overs, they ended on a strong note with 171 on the board.

In stark contrast, Sydney Thunder’s innings faltered from the outset. Chamari Athapaththu fell for a duck, and Chloe Ainsworth soon removed Georgia Voll, caught by Mikayla Hinkley. Phoebe Litchfield showed promise with four boundaries during the PowerPlay, keeping Thunder’s hopes alive at 36/2.

However, the chase unravelled quickly after Amy Edgar dismissed Litchfield. Alana King then clean-bowled Heather Knight, followed by Anika Learoyd’s dismissal, leaving the Thunder struggling at 57/5. From there, the Scorchers ruthlessly cleaned up the tail, sealing the victory with 74 runs to spare.

Brief Scores:  

• Perth Scorchers: 171/7 in 20 overs (Sophie Devine 48, Dayalan Hemalatha 41; Chamari Athapaththu 2-18, Shabnim Ismail 2-31)  
• Sydney Thunder: 97 in 19.3 overs (Phoebe Litchfield 27, Heather Knight 13; Amy Louise Edgar 3-19, Ebony Hoskin 2-10)  

The Scorchers' all-round performance highlighted their dominance, as they outclassed the Thunder with both bat and ball.