Thunder round out perfect WBBL day

Match report: Thunder young guns cool the Heat

Two Sydney Thunder young guns stole the show on Saturday, setting the stage for a comprehensive five-wicket win over the Brisbane Heat.

With the Heat batting first in Kingston, 17-year-old seamer Lauren Cheatle and Maisy Gibson – making her Rebel Women's Big Bash League debut – tore through the Heat's star-studded batting line-up, who wilted to be all out for 94.

The Thunder stumbled early in reply, losing Stafanie Taylor first ball before Rachel Haynes and Nicola Carey followed to leave them 3-20, but a powerful knock from Naomi Stalenberg (42 off 24) alongside a typically patient Alex Blackwell (32no off 30) saw the team in green home for their sixth win from eight matches.

But the accolades belonged to the bowlers, with Cheatle ensuring the Heat were immediately on the back foot when she removed Australian representatives Grace Harris and Jess Jonassen.

Then, left-arm spinner Gibson ripped through the middle order, dismissing England international Lauren Winfield, Southern Star Delissa Kimmince and Megan White.

It was a dream start for Gibson, who worked her way through the New South Wales' development squad and into the Lend Lease Breakers' ranks for the 2015-16 WNCL season.

Match report: Thunder detrail Cane Train

A quick-fire 37 off 16 balls by Naomi Stalenberg, including two huge sixes off the Hurricanes’ most frugal bowlers, Julie Hunter and Veronica Pyke, got the Sydney Thunder off to a rapid start against the table-topping Hurricanes. After six overs the visitors were cruising at 1-55 and a record score for the Rebel Women’s Big Bash League was on the cards.

The Hurricanes however, not averse to a tight finish, are accustomed to pulling it back from the brink. The home side managed to claw their way back into the match, restricting the Thunder to 3-35 off the next six overs after captain Heather Knight (1-14), furthering her all-round credentials, had the key wicket of Stalenberg caught in the deep by Hayley Matthews.

Still, a first innings total of 7-135 was no small run chase. Despite cameos of 20-odd runs each to the Hurricanes’ Heather Knight, Corinne Hall and Emma Thompson, no one batter was able to carry on through the innings. The Hurricanes, despite their best efforts, ended their run chase 10 runs short on 8-127 after their 20 overs following tight bowling from both the Thunder’s Rene Farrell (2-15) and Stafanie Taylor (2-27).

The ‘Cane train, with seven wins and just one loss coming into today’s game, have been momentarily stopped in their tracks by a Thunder side looking to push their own claim for the title.