Sydney copped a downpour on Sunday morning but it was the Renegades who rained on the Thunder’s parade as a spin to win mentality powered them to a crushing road win to keep their minor premiership hopes alive.
The rain may have tumbled three hours before the game started, but the runs dried up once the sun came out as the Thunder capitulated to be bowled out for just 64 after being sent in at Drummoyne Oval.
The visitors only needed 11.1 overs to chase down the subpar total to move within two points of the ladder-leading Hurricanes.
Melbourne had a simple plan and nailed it beautifully with their four spinners doing the bulk of the damage, with Charis Bekker (2-14) setting the tone with a superb unchanged four-over spell.
She had big guns Tahlia Wilson and Phoebe Litchfield back in the pavilion inside the opening five overs, with Georgia Wareham (3-12), Alice Capsey (2-12) and Sophie Molineux (1-8) causing all sorts of problems for the hosts.
The spinners combined for 8-46 from their 14 overs, with the quicks chipping in when needed on a day Melbourne didn’t concede a single extra.
The challenging pitch and the low target meant the Renegades didn’t have to rush, with Molineux leading the chase with an unbeaten 29 with eight wickets in hand.
GREEN WITH ENVY
The Thunder looked to have found some momentum with a couple of solid victories, but they came crashing back to reality after they were held to their lowest ever total, and the third-lowest in WBBL history.
It’s been a hectic schedule for the Thunder who only returned to Sydney on Saturday afternoon following their win over the Heat, and the tight turnaround looked to have played a part as they struggled with the early start.
Only two players reached double figures on a disastrous day for a team that now must wait until next Friday for their chance to make amends and keep their fading finals hopes alive.
They can take some inspiration from crosstown rivals the Sixers who were rolled for just 42 a few days ago but bounced back to snap Hobart’s unbeaten start to the season.
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