The only way out was for the Sydney Thunder after recording a win last season, but they have certainly shown promising signs of a turnaround. Approaching the halfway point of the campaign, they are the best having recorded five wins in six games, including an important victory over the Brisbane Heat at North Sydney Oval. It felt like they had put together an excellent draft by securing Marizanne Kapp, Heather Knight and Lauren Bell, but it has been their fourth signing, Athapaththu, who has been the revelation and has forced himself into the top three overseas, is say, Bell. he has been benched. Coupled with Litchfield’s evolving power and the resurgence of Hannah Darlington, they seem like a very balanced team.