SYDNEY, Australia (CMC) – Captain Hayley Matthews failed again as Melbourne Renegades continued their stuttering start to the Women’s Big Bash League with an eight-wicket defeat to Sydney Thunder here Thursday.

The right-hander, who scored heavily in the recent Twenty20 International series against Australia, managed only eight in Renegades’ 147 for five off their 20 overs at Cricket Central.

Matthews, also the West Indies captain, now has 40 runs from her three innings in the tournament.

Thunder easily chased down their target with 15 balls to spare, Sri Lankan Chamari Athapaththu smashing a superb 80 off 54 deliveries to earn Player-of-the-Match honours.

The 33-year-old left-hander dominated a 99-run, opening stand with Tahlia Wilson who made 28 from 24 balls with five fours, to lay the foundation for the successful run chase.

Leg-spinner Georgia Wareham finished with two for 23 to follow up her earlier top score of 47 off 34 balls with seven fours.

After Renegades were sent in, Wareham put on 78 for the fifth wicket with Courtney Webb (31) to pull the innings around from 62 for four in the ninth over.