All-round Sydney Thunder register comprehensive win against rivals, Sixers

Crosstown rivals Sydney Thunder and Sydney Sixers clashed again at the Spotless Stadium. This time, Thunder reclaimed bragging rights after registering a comprehensive eight-wicket win.

Thunder won the toss and sent the Sixers in to bat first. The decision paid off dividends for Thunder, who completely dismantled the Sixers star-studded line-up. On a pitch that offered no bounce, and proved to be quite difficult to play on, the Sixers struggled. In the fourth over, Lisa Griffith bowled Ellyse Perry, dislodging the off-stump. She then bowled Alyssa Healy in the same over. The Sixers collapsed from 22-0 to 33-6.

Marizanne Kapp and Lauren Smith then salvaged the innings with the highest seventh wicket partnership for the Sixers. They put on a 52-run stand to guide the Sixers to 98-7. Kapp top-scored with an unbeaten 40 off 41, with Smith adding 22 to the total. Perry was the only other batter to reach double figures in her knock of a run-a-ball 13.

The Thunder bowlers did brilliantly to wreak havoc on their opponents, not only taking wickets, but bowling economically too. Rachel Trenaman, on her Thunder debut, was the pick of the bowlers, taking 2-11. Nicola Carey and Griffith also claimed two scalps. Belinda Vakarewa contributed with a wicket as well.

The Sixers needed to replicate Thunders bowling performance if they hoped to claim an unlikely win. Unfortunately for them, they did not. Perry's first over went for 15 runs. Though Kapp dismissed Rachel Priest in the third over, Rachael Haynes and Naomi Stalenberg  combined for 70-run stand. Haynes then fell for a well-made 43 off 39, off the bowling of Dane van Niekerk. With two required off four overs, Harmanpreet Kaur played a maiden over off the bowling of van Niekerk. Stalenberg then guided her side over the line, hitting a boundary to finish it off. She finished on 44* off 50. Thunder cruised to a comfortable eight-wickey win, 14 balls to spare.

Kapp and van Niekerk were the only wicket-takers, on a deck where the Sixers bowlers struggled.

Thunder now move up to No.2 on the points table, trailing the Sixers by two points.