Women’s Big Bash League: Perth Scorchers unbeaten start to season ends with 51-run loss to Adelaide Strikers

Detailed summary

Perth Scorchers have had their Women’s Big Bash League winning streak snapped by Adelaide Strikers, slumping to their first loss of the season by 51 runs at the WACA Ground.

Perth Scorchers have had their Women’s Big Bash League winning streak snapped by Adelaide Strikers, slumping to their first loss of the season by 51 runs at the WACA Ground.

The visitors well and truly seized the initiative in the first innings by compiling the highest score of the season so far, with South Africa superstar Laura Wolvaardt (83 not out) starring as they smashed their way to 4-202.

Left with the requirement of pulling off the competition’s all-time record chase to extend their run of consecutive victories to six, the Scorchers fell well short, being restricted to 9-151.

Scorchers batter Freya Kemp said her side’s performance was “disappointing”.

“We bowled really well in the first 10 overs and then they got away from us in the last five,” Kemp said.

“We didn’t execute as well as we could have with the ball and they played some good shots. They had a set batter and then Maddie Penna came in and struck it really well.

Perth’s batting effort also included a moment of controversy in the fourth over, when star Sophie Devine became the second of leg-spinner Anesu Mushangwe’s five wickets by being sent on her way for a second-ball duck.

Grainy vision of a low catching chance proved sufficient for the third umpire to send the New Zealander on her way, despite Wolvaardt initially signalling she was unsure whether the ball had carried.

“It’s up to the umpires to make the decision and we’ve just got to go with that decision that they make,” she said.

Opening of the article, excerpted from The West Australian. To read the rest, open the article on the publisher's site.