Scorchers soar to keep season alive

The Perth Scorchers have secured a Rebel WBBL finals berth with a four-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades at Camberwell Sports Ground.

Requiring 113 for victory, the Scorchers bounced back strongly from Saturday's defeat to move past the modest target in 16.1 overs and leapt to third place on the points table in what was virtually a mini-elimination final for both sides.

Captain Elyse Villani showed some serious intent with a quickfire 18 at the top on Sunday, before England allrounder Nat Sciver's unbeaten 39 steadied the Scorchers' cause after promising young leggie Georgia Wareham got rid of Nicole Bolton (18) and Megan Banting (six) in quick succession.

Wareham was easily the home side's best bowler with a career-best 3-19, but she didn't have enough to bowl at after the Renegades could only muster 9-112, thanks largely to the brilliance of Perth fast bowler Katherine Brunt.

The English spearhead picked up 3-11 to leap to first place on the WBBL wicket-taking leaderboard (22), while youngsters Piepa Cleary (3-25) and Heather Graham (2-27) also played crucial roles.

Wicketkeeper Emma Inglis' belligerent 28 and captain Amy Satterthwaite's measured 26 were the best efforts for the Renegades, but the lower order was unable to capitalise on the solid platform.

The Renegades' season is done after finishing in sixth spot with a 6-8 record, while the Scorchers (8-6) will face second-placed Sydney Thunder (10-4) in the semi-finals.