Thunder blow Strikers away to lead WBBL

Saturday, 20 January 2018: A whirlwind half century by Rachel Priest has steered the Thunder to a comfortable win over the Strikers and moved them to the top of the WBBL points table.

The Sydney Thunder have jetted to the top of the WBBL ladder after a convincing 37-run win over the Adelaide Strikers at Robertson Oval in Wagga Wagga.

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After Thunder wicketkeeper Rachel Priest's aggressive half century underpinned the home side's 4-148, the Strikers were never in the hunt, bundled out for 111.

With top of the table the prize for the winner of the match, several Strikers batters made good starts but none could go in with the job or prevent the required rate from escalating.

Adelaide's top order was skittled by Sam Bates (3-20) and West Indian Stafanie Taylor (2-20) while Nicola Carey (2-14) took care of the tail.

Bridget Patterson's breezy 30 was the best for the Strikers but no-one came close to matching Thunder star Priest's 51 off 27 deliveries, which included three sixes.

The New Zealander was on track for a big one before she fell in the ninth over.

But the Thunder continued on their merry way, with Naomi Stalenberg (41) and Taylor (33 not out) lifting them to what proved a match-winning total.