Thunder strike down 'Gades in the capital

Sydney Thunder have returned to the top of the Rebel WBBL points table after absorbing some nervous moments to down the Melbourne Renegades by four wickets in a low-scoring clash at Manuka Oval.

After skittling the Renegades for just 68 in 15.5 overs, the Thunder made hard work of the chase, wriggling across the line with four overs to spare.

Ashes-retaining Australia captain Rachael Haynes returned to her early-season best after a recent lean spell, top-scoring with 37 on a damp pitch offering pronounced seam movement under overcast Canberra skies.

Wickets fell regularly as Hayley Jensen (3-11) and Molly Strano (2-16) bowled superbly, but the Renegades never had anywhere enough runs to defend.

Bookended by a shaky 2-1 start and calamitous 4-4 finish, the Renegades wilted after being sent in following pre-match showers which delayed the toss.

Skipper Amy Satterthwaite top-scored with 17 and briefly appeared likely to launch her typical rescue mission, but it wasn't to be.

Player-of-the-match Nicola Carey (3-10) did most of the damage for the Thunder with her seamers and was well supported by West Indian allrounder Stafanie Taylor (2-11), after spearhead Rene Farrell (2-10) inflicted the early damage.

Despite suffering a third consecutive defeat, the sixth-placed Renegades are still capable of playing finals.

They will need to sweep the Perth Scorchers in a crunch double-header this weekend in the eastern Melbourne suburb of Camberwell, while cheering on the Thunder to claim at least one win in their double-header against the Heat in Brisbane.