WBBL season gets underway with Thunder thumping of Renegades

Anika Learoyd has carved out a career-best innings as the Sydney Thunder began its WBBL campaign with a convincing six-wicket win over the Melbourne Renegades in the season opener.

Learoyd made 48 off 37 balls after off-spinner Georgia Voll (4-26) did most of the damage in the first match of a double-header at Junction Oval today.

The Melbourne Stars host the Hobart Hurricanes in the night game.

In at first drop, after Voll made 25 off 18, including the Thunder's only six of the match, Learoyd hit nine boundaries and put on 62 with Heather Knight in a match-winning third-wicket partnership.

The pair took 28 runs from the power surge, putting the Thunder within sight of victory.

Knight (29 not out off 22 balls) and Nadine de Klerk (12no off six) finished the job, guiding their team to 4-140 with 18 balls to spare.

Learoyd admitted feeling "really nervous" batting near the top of the order, but will take confidence from starting the season with a strong performance.

Earlier, Voll's four wickets and hand in a run-out were crucial in restricting the Renegades to 9-138 from their 20 overs.

Renegades opener Hayley Matthews gave her side a strong start, blasting 45 from 30 balls before holing out in the deep.

Matthews put on 56 for the first wicket with Courtney Webb (22 from 24), and Georgia Wareham made a handy 23 from 19, but a late-innings collapse ended their chances.

The Renegades lost 5-2 in seven balls through the 17th and 18th overs as Voll wreaked havoc.