Lanning, Villani lead Perth to record win

The Scorchers have pulled off the biggest successful run chase in Rebel WBBL history after downing the Sydney Thunder by six wickets in Perth.

After the Thunder posted 5-179 in front of a strong crowd of 3190 at Lilac Hill, the Scorchers timed the big chase to perfection and got home with one ball to spare on Saturday.

The victory came at a cost though with gun opener Elyse Villani, who hit the winning runs off Stafanie Taylor and finished unbeaten on 66, appearing to sustain a hamstring injury during her innings.

At this stage the injury is not considered serious.

The vice-captain got going late after a sedate start where she was the support act during a 93-run first-wicket stand with skipper Meg Lanning, who smoked 76 off 40 deliveries, her third successive score in excess of 70.

Lanning dominated the stand, at one stage outpacing Villani 71 runs to nine, before the captain was run out in a mix-up in the 10th over.

"We had to get going pretty quickly out there. It was a good batting wicket," Lanning said.

"I found a good batting rhythm early on and thought I'd keep going with it," said Lanning, who thought Villani's hamstring strain was only minor.

Allrounder Nicole Carey (2-35) was the pick of the bowlers for the Thunder who at one stage looked on target for 200 with the bat.

Openers Rachael Haynes (50) and Rachel Priest (43) smashed their way through the powerplay and put on 77 in seven overs before Indian star Harmanpreet Kaur smashed four sixes in a streaky 45.

Seamer Piepa Cleary (2-28) impressed with the ball as the Scorchers consolidated their spot in the top four and snapped the Thunder's five-match winning streak.