Usman Khawaja somewhat rescued Sydney Thunder after Chris Gayle and Matt Prior again failed, but the 9-113 score looks below par against the Perth Scorchers in the Big Bash League clash at the WACA Ground.

Gayle, leading the winless Thunder in the absence of injured Chris Rogers, scored just two runs and Englishman Prior four as the Sydney side slumped to 4-31 after winning the toss.

Khawaja made a solid 56 from 45 balls with some support from Mark Cosgrove (18 from 15) as the Thunder struggled to 9-113 from their 20 overs.

Bowling for the Scorchers, Jason Behrendorff delivered four straight overs at the start to take 2-16 and then Brad Hogg finished strongly, the veteran spinner claiming three last-over wickets to end up with 4-29 from his four overs.

Gayle, the richest Twenty20 signing across the world, has now made just 72 runs in his six innings for the Thunder, failing to hit any sort of form with an average just 12 this BBL campaign at a disappointing strike rate of 72.7 per cent.

Prior didn’t play the first four games due to his commitments with England in the successful Test series in India but has made just 25 runs in three innings averaging 8.3 and also going at a relatively slow strike rate of 80.6 per cent.

The Scorchers will be confident of chasing down the 114 for victory to enhance their prospects of a semi-final berth.