Teenager Chloe Ainsworth continued her impressive form in the WBBL, helping Perth Scorchers secure a dominant 74-run victory over the Sydney Thunder. In their match at Drummoyne Oval, Scorchers posted 171 for 7, with Sophie Devine contributing 48 off 34 balls and Dayalan Hemalatha adding a quickfire 41 off 26. Ainsworth’s brilliant bowling was a key factor in the win, as she took 2 for 15, including 2 for 4 in her first two overs, leaving Thunder struggling at 97 all out in the 20th over.
Ainsworth’s spell set the tone for the match, as Thunder’s chase faltered early. Her wickets included last year’s WBBL MVP, Chamari Athapaththu, and opening partner Georgia Voll. Though Thunder captain Phoebe Litchfield and Heather Knight briefly revived the chase with a 32-run stand, Litchfield’s departure to Amy Edgar spelled the end of the fightback.
Thunder’s pursuit was further disrupted by floodlight issues, with one of Drummoyne Oval’s towers going out early in the chase. Umpires stopped play, but the match continued after Thunder opted to keep batting. Despite the conditions, Thunder couldn’t recover, and Scorchers moved up to second place on the WBBL ladder, ending Thunder’s four-match winning streak.
Ainsworth’s remarkable start to the season continued with her nine wickets at an average of 12.88, adding big names like Meg Lanning and Annabel Sutherland to her list of victims. As a 19-year-old seamer, Ainsworth’s performances are making her a strong contender for future Australian selection.
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