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.

“It’s obviously hard, chasing more than 200.”

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.

Kemp was not eager to weigh in on the call.

“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.

After Adelaide won the toss and chose to bat, their early momentum was gathered through Emma de Broughe, who went on to make a half-century after Perth put down three tough catching chances she offered early in her knock.

The opener’s stay at the crease ended when she was bowled for 51 by Alana King (1-41) and Chloe Ainsworth (1-23) accounted for Australia vice-captain Tahlia McGrath (two) in the same fashion in the next over.

But the Strikers bounced back from the setbacks in stunning style, hammering 110 runs from the final eight overs of the first innings.

All-rounder Maddie Penna smashed six boundaries and a pair of sixes in a brisk 44 from 19 deliveries and Wolvaardt only grew in aggression once she departed, twice depositing Lilly Mills (0-42) over the rope as she took 23 from the last six balls she faced.

Perth’s tall task grew even tougher when Mushangwe followed up on having superstar Beth Mooney (seven) caught at mid-on by claiming Devine’s wicket, which was eventually confirmed following two-and-a-half minutes of deliberations.

Freya Kemp did what she could to keep the Scorchers in touch with a required run rate which quickly began to approach 12 an over, smashing three huge sixes.

But the England big-hitter’s dismissal for 28, which came courtesy of a fine running catch from Adelaide wicketkeeper Ellie Johnston, all but sealed their fate.

Despite the best efforts of Mikayla Friday, who contributed her best WBBL score both for the Scorchers and in more than five years by making 41, the loss was Perth’s fourth heaviest by runs in club history.