Thunder win final-ball thriller

A dramatic last-ball run out has helped the Sydney Thunder extend their lead at the top of the Rebel WBBL ladder with a one-run victory over the Perth Scorchers at Lilac Hill.

With the Scorchers needing three to win off the final ball to haul in the victory target of 146, Mathilda Carmichael sliced Nicola Carey to deep cover.

Lisa Griffith gathered and threw the ball in to wicketkeeper Rachel Priest, who beat Carmichael's desperate scramble for a second run, which would have levelled the scores and meant a Super Over to decide the victor.

Had Carmichael made her ground, it would have been the second Rebel WBBL Super Over in the space of less than a week, following on from the Melbourne Renegades and Sydney Sixers at Geelong.

The Scorchers finished on 6-144 after appearing well on track to prevail while Nicole Bolton was in the middle.

Bolton smashed a career-best 71, which included a few innovative switch hits and some busy running between wickets to provide the backbone of the Scorchers' gallant chase.

When she holed out in the 18th over to player-of-the-match Rene Farrell, who took 2-19 in a fine display, the asking rate was still within the home side's grasp before Carey's ice-cool death bowling denied the fourth-placed Scorchers.

Earlier, Australia stand-in skipper Rachael Haynes (1) suffered a rare failure, but fellow opener Priest rode her luck to hold the Thunder's innings together.

Priest was given three chances before finally being caught for 42 and was assisted by captain Alex Blackwell's steady 26.

Exciting allrounders Naomi Stalenberg (24) and Carey (15 not out) bumped up the scoring rate towards the end.

Piepa Cleary came back strongly from a shaky start to capture 3-19, while Bolton, proving a revelation opening the batting and bowling, continued to show her all-round wares by taking 2-14 from her four overs.