Perth Scorchers beat Sydney Thunder by 17 runs to top WBBL table

Perth Scorchers beat Sydney Thunder by 17 runs on Thursday to move to the top of the Women's Big Bash League table, Cricket Australia said in a statement.

The Scorchers scored 3-183, adding 47 runs in the final three overs after Sophie Devine chose to retire herself during her innings.

Devine had faced 39 balls for 42 runs, and she had scored only 10 from her previous 16 deliveries before she stepped off.

England allrounder Freya Kemp came in and scored 30 off 10 balls to lift the total.

Skipper Beth Mooney finished unbeaten on 80, her 49th half-century in the competition, which is a record.

"Sometimes when you're batting, no matter how hard you try, it just doesn't come off, and Soph recognised that," Mooney said.

"It's hard watching a six-hitter walk off the field, but Freya came out and absolutely whacked it," she said.

In reply, the Thunder were bowled out for 166 in 19 overs, with Chloe Ainsworth taking two wickets for 24 runs and Devine taking two for 31.

Alana King took four wickets for 35 runs as she cleaned up the lower order after the hosts had threatened a comeback with a 35-run power-surge.

Pakistan captain Fatima Sana left the field sore during the second innings but returned to play out the match.

The Scorchers now sit clear at the top of the table, although the Sydney Sixers have played one more game and have one more win.

Perth face Melbourne Stars next in a rematch of Monday's low-scoring game, which the Scorchers won by 15 runs.

Sydney Thunder will meet cross-town rivals Sydney Sixers in a derby at North Sydney Oval on Sunday.