Perth Scorchers Women produced a spirited batting performance to chase down Sydney Thunder Women’s target of 160, securing a four-wicket victory with nine balls to spare in the 18th match of the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) 2026 at the W.A.C.A. on November 11. Heather Knight’s impressive half-century had given Sydney Thunder a competitive total, but the Scorchers responded with contributions from several batters to complete the chase at 160/6 in 18.3 overs.
Sydney Thunder Women had a difficult start after being put under pressure early in their innings. Chloe Ainsworth provided the breakthrough by dismissing Georgia Voll for a five-ball duck in the first over, with the batter caught by wicketkeeper Mikayla Hinkley. Phoebe Litchfield and Anika Learoyd attempted to rebuild, but the Thunder suffered another setback when Litchfield was dismissed for 13 off 14 deliveries, caught by Kemp off Fatima Sana. At 18/2 after 3.5 overs, Sydney needed a substantial partnership to regain control.
Learoyd and Heather Knight then took responsibility and steadied the innings with an important third-wicket partnership. The pair brought up 50 runs in 40 balls, with Learoyd contributing 22 and Knight adding 23 during the stand. Their partnership helped Sydney Thunder reach 50 in 8.2 overs, with the scoreboard reading 63/2 at the halfway mark. Learoyd continued to play positively, eventually scoring 53 off 44 deliveries, including five fours and a six. However, Sophie Devine broke the partnership by having Learoyd caught by Fatima Sana for 53, leaving Sydney at 146/3 in 17.5 overs.
Knight continued to dominate the bowling attack and ensured that the Thunder maintained their scoring momentum. The experienced batter played an excellent knock of 71 from 46 balls, striking 12 boundaries. She brought valuable stability to the innings while also finding opportunities to accelerate. Alana King eventually dismissed Knight for 71, bowling her in the 18th over. Anika Learoyd’s dismissal had already left the Thunder with further work to do, and the late wickets prevented them from pushing towards a bigger total.
Laura Harris managed just three runs from six deliveries before being caught by Kemp off Amy Edgar. Nadine de Klerk provided a late boost with an unbeaten eight off five balls, while Tahlia Wilson remained not out on one. Sydney Thunder Women finished their 20 overs at 159/5, with 10 extras contributing to their total. Among the Perth bowlers, Fatima Sana, Chloe Ainsworth, Alana King, Sophie Devine and Amy Edgar claimed one wicket each, while Lilly Mills finished wicketless despite bowling three overs. Sana conceded 26 runs in four overs, while Ainsworth returned figures of 1/22.
Chasing 160, Perth Scorchers Women made an aggressive start, although Sydney Thunder struck early through Samantha Bates. Ines McKeon departed for six off just two deliveries after being trapped lbw by Bates in the first over. Katie Mack and Sophie Devine then attempted to stabilise the innings, but the Thunder continued to apply pressure. Nadine de Klerk dismissed Devine for 37 off 32 balls, with the Scorchers captain having struck five fours and a six. Devine’s dismissal at 86/2 in 9.5 overs kept the contest finely balanced.
Mack, who had scored 31 from 27 deliveries with five boundaries, was the next to depart, caught and bowled by Jemma Barsby. Freya Kemp contributed 10 off eight balls before being caught by Laura Harris off Lauren Bell, leaving Perth at 113/4 in 12.5 overs. Mikayla Hinkley then added an important 24 from 16 deliveries, hitting three fours and a six. Her innings helped maintain the required scoring rate, although she was run out for 24 through a combined effort involving de Klerk and wicketkeeper Tahlia Wilson.
Chloe Piparo kept the chase alive with an unbeaten 20 off 16 balls, striking two boundaries. Fatima Sana, however, could not contribute with the bat and was bowled by Hannah Darlington for a two-ball duck. With the match entering its decisive stage, Chloe Ainsworth provided the finishing impetus, remaining unbeaten on 15 from just eight deliveries, including two fours. Her attacking contribution alongside Piparo ensured that Perth crossed the finish line without needing the final nine balls.
Sydney Thunder’s bowling effort saw Samantha Bates, Lauren Bell, Hannah Darlington, Nadine de Klerk and Jemma Barsby pick up one wicket apiece. Bates finished with 1/32 from four overs, Bell returned 1/26 from 3.3 overs, Darlington took 1/29, de Klerk claimed 1/30 and Barsby finished with 1/19 from two overs. Georgia Voll went wicketless in her two overs, conceding 18 runs.
Perth Scorchers Women eventually reached 160/6 in 18.3 overs, winning by four wickets with nine balls remaining. While Heather Knight’s 71 and Anika Learoyd’s 53 were the standout performances in the first innings, the Scorchers’ collective batting effort proved decisive. Chloe Ainsworth’s late hitting and contributions from Devine, Mack, Hinkley and Piparo ensured a successful chase and a memorable WBBL 2026 victory for Perth.
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