THE WOMEN’S Big Bash (WBBL) season continues to throw up plenty of surprises, this time thanks to the Perth Scorchers, who moved up to second place with a big win over the ladder-leading Sydney Thunder.

After Perth posted 7/171 from its 20 overs, the visitors then ripped through the Thunder’s batting lineup, bowling them out for just 97 at Drummoyne Oval.

Steady progression was the key to the Scorchers recording their substantial tally.

Things only fell away late in the piece and most of the partnerships were in the 30-40 runs range.

The fair chunk of Perth’s runs came through the late top order into the middle order. Sophie Devine top-scored with 48, while Dayalan Hemalatha posted 41.

Meanwhile for the Thunder Chamari Athapaththu and Shabnim Ismail picked up a pair of wickets each.

The chase could not have gotten off to a much worse start for the Thunder, falling to 1/1 on the fourth ball of the innings.

It was also a sign of things to come, as momentum and big partnerships became a huge challenge. Only three of the 10 partnerships cracked double-figures, with the biggest of those being the 32-run third wicket stance.

Compared to the rest of the batting card, Phoebe Litchfield’s top score of 27 was a resolute captain’s knock. She was only one of four batters to make a double figure score, and of those four only she and Heather Knight outscoring that extras tally.

Meanwhile for the Scorchers Amy Edgar was the pick of the bowlers with three wickets to her name, while Chloe Ainsworth and Ebony Hoskin picked up two wickets each.