PERTH, Australia (CMC) — Chris Gayle's horror tournament continues as his Sydney Thunders laboured through another dismal performance, crashing to a nine-wicket defeat to the Perth Scorchers in the Australian Big bash League yesterday.

Gayle yet again failed to register any significant impression with the bat as the Scorchers restricted the winless Thunder to just 113 for nine in their 20 overs and reached the target losing just one wicket at the WACA.

The high-profile and highly paid Gayle scored just two runs from nine balls, as the Thunder slumped to their 12th straight Big Bash loss, dating back to last season, after winning the toss and batting first on a slightly green pitch.

Gayle, standing in as Thunder skipper for the injured Chris Rogers, lost his wicket in the second over defending a quality length delivery from Jason Behrendorff and was caught at first slips.

The only resistance came from Test aspirant Usman Khawaja, who hit 56 off 45 balls in a bid to rescue the Thunder.

Shaun Marsh, who scored 56 off 45 balls, and Marcus North, 39 off 30, combined for an unbeaten century stand to seal victory for the Scorchers in 13.2 overs.

The nine-wicket win lifted the Scorchers, last season's runners-up, from sixth to second on the Big Bash table ahead of Thursday's final match away to the Adelaide Strikers.

Gayle's Thunder has one final chance against the Melbourne Stars on Tuesday to avoid the ignominy of ending the tournament without a win.