Thunder have struck: WBBL heavyweights snap losing streak with dominant home win

One of the WBBL’s heavyweights has put the rest of the competition on notice with a dominant batting display that has breathed new life into their campaign.

The Sydney Thunder are finally off the mark in the WBBL after they thrashed the Perth Scorchers by nine wickets to snap their three game losing streak to start the season.

Veteran spinner Sam Bates said earlier in the week that the Thunder were taking inspiration from the Renegades who recovered from a slow start to win last year’s title, and that approach is working after they kept their finals hopes alive in style.

The Thunder are off the mark this season after a big win over Perth. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

The Thunder did well to restrict the visitors to 7-150 off their 20 overs in Drummoyne, with Bates (1-18) the pick of the bowlers against a Perth side that boasts quality batting in their top order.

After losing their opening three matches, the Thunder roared back to form with their top three all in the runs with Georgia Voll (43), Tahlia Wilson (55 not out) and skipper Phoebe Litchfield (50 not out) pacing the chase to perfection as they cruised home with 10 balls to spare.

Litchfield had struggled for runs this tournament but was clutch when her team needed her most as she smashed the only six of the night to seal the win and give the Thunder some momentum ahead of Friday’s clash with the Heat.

Katie Mack was the star of the night for Perth. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

RETURN OF THE MACK

It had been a fairly lean start to the season for Katie Mack after she made the big move from the Strikers, but she rode her luck and took advantage of some poor fielding to do most of the damage with the bat for Perth.

The opener was dropped on the first ball she faced by Heather Knight at first slip and then again on 35, with Mack then surviving a caught and bowled due to a waist-high no ball.

She reached 50 off 36 deliveries and should have been out on 57 only for two fielders to look at each other instead of the ball.

Mack eventually fell on the final ball of the innings having struck nine boundaries on a night her teammates could only combine for six fours.

Perth’s bowlers rarely threatened and were let down in the field with Freya Kemp putting down a simple chance when Wilson was on five.

Originally published as Thunder have struck: WBBL heavyweights snap losing streak with dominant home win