Perth Scorchers made it five wins from five in the Women's Big Bash League with a four-wicket victory over Sydney Thunder at the WACA Ground in Perth on Wednesday, 11 November. Chasing 160, the Scorchers reached 160 for 6 in 18.3 overs, winning with nine balls to spare.

Sydney Thunder, who won the toss and chose to bat, posted 159 for 5 from their 20 overs. The result keeps Perth's unbeaten start to WBBL|12 intact and underlines their status as early title favourites.

Knight and Learoyd rescue Thunder

Thunder made a poor start, losing two wickets inside the first four overs and managing only 19 runs in the powerplay. Heather Knight and Anika Learoyd then rebuilt the innings with a 128-run stand for the third wicket.

Knight, who was named player of the match despite finishing on the losing side, struck 71 from 46 balls with 12 fours. Learoyd made 53 from 44 balls, including five fours and a six. Thunder passed 150 in the 19th over before finishing on 159 for 5, with Nadine de Klerk unbeaten on eight.

Devine and Mack steady the chase

Perth lost an early wicket but captain Sophie Devine and Katie Mack steadied the chase with a 50-run partnership. Mack made 31 from 27 balls and Devine contributed 37 from 32 deliveries.

Thunder kept taking wickets, and the Scorchers were 133 for 6 in the 16th over, but Chloe Piparo, unbeaten on 20 from 16 balls, and Chloe Ainsworth, unbeaten on 15 from eight, saw their side home. Ainsworth struck the winning boundary off Lauren Bell in the 19th over.

What the win means

It was Perth's second win over Thunder in six days, after they defended 183 to win by 17 runs on 5 November, when Beth Mooney scored an unbeaten 80. The Scorchers have now won five matches in a row, with contributions spread across the squad, and will be hard to catch at the top of the WBBL|12 standings.