WBBL bolters’ surprise season continues as young gun takes career-best

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Sydney Thunder has continued its stunning WBBL revival with a 37-run win over the Melbourne Renegades to keep pace with the competition leaders at the Junction Oval.

A stunning catch in the deep by Renegades star Harmanpreet Kaur could not fix a leaky bowling performance as the Thunder batters feasted on the home side’s spinners and posted 190.

Skipper Heather Knight belted eight boundaries in an unbeaten 52 from 31 balls and was well supported by cameos from Tahlia Wilson (30 off 23), Chamari Athapaththu (32 off 26) and Phoebe Litchfield (27 off 19) as the Renegades were batted out of the game.

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The win was the Thunder’s third in four games as they solidified their position in the top four with a game in hand on the Adelaide Strikers and Perth Scorchers, who both have 3-2 records.

England star and Sydney Thunder captain Heather Knight hammered an unbeaten 52 off 31 balls to lead her side to victory over the Melbourne Renegades at the Junction Oval. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

All three victories have come against the bottom two sides in the Renegades and Sixers, but the strong form to begin the season comes in stark contrast to the Thunder’s dire 2022-23 campaign in which they managed only a single win.

Kaur provided a late highlight in the Thunder’s innings when she ran back towards the boundary from mid-off to take a courageous catch with teammate Georgia Prestwidge running towards her to remove Anika Learoyd in the 19th over.

India and Melbourne Renegades star Harmanpreet Kaur took a superb outfield catch to remove Thunder batter Anika Learoyd. Picture: Daniel Pockett / Getty ImagesSource: Getty Images

The Renegades twice found two quick wickets but could not halt the Thunder’s free scoring, with main spinners Hayley Matthews and Georgia Wareham going for 78 runs from their full eight overs.

Hannah Darlington claimed career best figures of 4-33, including the crucial wickets of England star Tammy Beaumont (37 off 29) and Kaur as the Renegades were restricted to 7-153.

South African quick Marizanne Kapp took the crucial early wicket of Renegades skipper Hayley Matthews for eight when the destructive West Indian opener skied a ball to mid-off.

Sarah Coyte (30 off 20) swung the bat to good effect in a 44-run partnership with Josie Dooley for the seventh wicket, but the Renegades were unable to make inroads after a tight first 10 overs by the Thunder gave up only 64 runs.

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