Elyse Villani fifty sets up Scorchers' win
Suzie Bates was out hit wicket for 1, but contributed in the field and with the ball to send the Renegades crashing to their sixth loss
Scorecard
It's not often Suzie Bates falls cheaply, and it's even more seldom to see the New Zealander - the ICC ODI and T20I Player of the Year - out hit wicket. But that's exactly what happened with the fifth ball of the match, as her New Zealand team-mate Lea Tahuhu dug in a swift bouncer, which Bates fended away behind square to the leg side, only to drag her bat around and fall hit wicket in the process.
After Bates' early dismissal, her opening partner Villani was in plum form, making a magnificent 60 from 43 balls. Early on, she took Molly Strano for consecutive boundaries - over mid-on and straight over the bowler's head, then peppered the fence at midwicket with five fours in a single Tahuhu over. By the time she fell - caught smartly at long-on in Danni Wyatt's first over - she had 60 of the Renegades' 81 runs, while Claire Piparo contributed just seven in the pair's partnership of 50. Villani's innings set the Scorchers well on their way to victory.
The Renegades' chase just never quite got going, with key players getting in then getting out. Sophie Molineux ,who had earlier bowled beautifully to take 1 for 16 from her four overs, put on 32 with Priest to get them off to a good start, before Priest and Kris Britt fell in quick succession. Molineux and Danni Wyatt then looked good as they shared 29 to rebuild, with each striking fine sixes, but they too fell in consecutive overs, with half the target still required.
The Renegades were the only team below the Scorchers when this game began, although the table was not telling the whole story, because Scorchers had played just four games (winning two and losing two), fewer than anyone else. Their list certainly looks the part, with the batting prowess of Villani and Bolton, the English opening bowling duo Katherine Brunt and Anya Shrubsole, as well as the all-round brilliance of Bates. This was a performance befitting of that side, with plenty of individuals playing their part and only a dropped catch and missed run- out chance blotting the copybook. Is this the start of their rise up the table?
Will Macpherson writes on cricket for the Guardian, ESPNcricinfo and All Out Cricket. @willis_macp