Ellyse Perry

Ellyse Perry

Born on November 3, 1990, Ellyse Alexandra Perry is an Australian athlete of exceptional talent in cricket and soccer. At 16, she made history as the youngest Australian to play international cricket and the first to appear in both ICC and FIFA World Cups. Gradually focusing solely on cricket from 2014, Perry’s career has soared, earning her recognition as one of the sport’s greatest players. 

A versatile all-rounder, she boasts numerous statistical milestones and has played pivotal roles in her teams’ triumphs at domestic and international levels. Perry’s exemplary performance, marketability, and role-model status have significantly contributed to the increasing prominence of women in Australian sports culture.

History:

Raised in the Sydney suburb of Wahroonga, Ellyse Alexandra Perry attended Beecroft Primary School and later Pymble Ladies’ College, where she excelled as Sports, Athletics, and Cricket Captain. Beyond cricket and soccer, she engaged in various sports including tennis, athletics, touch football, and golf during her school years. 

Her friendship with future Australian teammate Alyssa Healy blossomed at the age of nine, and they shared a passion for cricket throughout their childhood. Nicknamed “Dags” by Healy due to an ill-fitting uniform, Perry is more commonly known as “Pez.” At just 16, she showcased her cricket skills for New South Wales in an under-19 interstate tournament, followed by a selection in the Australian youth team for a tour of New Zealand, marking the beginning of her remarkable cricket journey.

Teams:

Perry commenced her illustrious Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) journey with New South Wales in the 2007–08 season, making a memorable debut against South Australia by claiming 2/29, including the wicket of the esteemed Karen Rolton. Over the years, Perry’s dominance in the league was evident as she clinched ten WNCL championships with New South Wales, showcasing her multifaceted skills.

In 2019, Perry’s move to Melbourne led her to join Victoria, where she continued to excel. Notably, she marked her debut for Victoria with an impactful performance, contributing with both bat and ball. Perry’s leadership skills were also recognized as she captained Victoria in the absence of Meg Lanning, displaying her versatility and unwavering commitment to the game.

Ellyse Perry’s journey in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) began in the 2015-16 season when she signed with the Sydney Sixers, also assuming the role of the team’s inaugural captain. Despite a challenging start, Perry’s leadership and batting prowess, particularly alongside Alyssa Healy, fueled the Sixers’ resurgence, leading them to a series of victories. Over the following seasons, Perry’s impact only grew, as she consistently topped the league for most runs and guided the Sixers to consecutive titles. Her exceptional performances earned her accolades like Player of the Tournament, further cementing her status as one of WBBL’s premier players.

However, Perry faced setbacks too, such as injuries and missed opportunities, yet her dedication and resilience remained unwavering, making her an indispensable figure in the league.

Ellyse Perry’s WBBL journey commenced in 2015-16 when she joined the Sydney Sixers as their inaugural captain. Despite initial challenges, Perry’s leadership and batting prowess, especially alongside Alyssa Healy, spurred the Sixers to numerous victories. As seasons progressed, Perry’s influence grew, consistently topping the league in runs and guiding the Sixers to consecutive titles. 

Her stellar performances earned her accolades like Player of the Tournament, solidifying her reputation as a premier WBBL player. Despite facing setbacks like injuries, Perry’s unwavering dedication and resilience have made her an indispensable presence in the league, embodying the spirit of determination and excellence.

In March 2021, Ellyse Perry was signed by the Birmingham Phoenix for the inaugural season of The Hundred but withdrew due to personal reasons just before the tournament’s start. However, in February 2022, the ECB confirmed her retention by the Phoenix for the 2022 season. Perry’s debut in August saw her delivering a standout performance, earning the Player of the Match title with a remarkable innings of 58 runs off 31 balls against the Welsh Fire. Despite further impactful contributions, the Phoenix narrowly missed out on progressing to the tournament’s knockout stage. Perry was retained by the Phoenix for the 2023 season as well.

In the inaugural 2023 season of the Women’s Premier League (WPL), Perry was purchased by the Royal Challengers Bangalore for ₹1.7 crore.

In July 2007, Ellyse Perry made her senior international cricket debut for Australia against New Zealand, becoming the youngest-ever Australian cricketer at 16 years and 8 months. In her One Day International debut, she claimed two wickets and scored 19 runs. Perry’s impactful start continued in her Twenty20 International debut in February 2008 against England, where she scored 29 not out and took 4/20 to secure victory. This performance, coupled with her Test debut in the 2007–08 Women’s Ashes, solidified Perry’s status as a rising star. Despite Australia’s loss, Perry’s talent as an all-rounder garnered widespread acclaim and comparisons to legendary players.

In 2009, Ellyse Perry marked her debut in major ICC tournaments, participating in the Women’s Cricket World Cup and the inaugural Women’s World Twenty20. Notably, she excelled against the West Indies in the World Cup, earning Player of the Match honors with a stellar all-round performance of 36 runs and 2/28. Despite Australia’s failure to reach the World Cup final, Perry’s impact was evident. The same year, she contributed significantly to Australia’s victory in the 2010 World Twenty20, displaying her prowess by taking crucial wickets and executing a match-saving fielding play in the final. Perry’s performance was lauded, earning her the Player of the Final title.

In 2011-12, Ellyse Perry contributed significantly to Australia’s cricket success. In the only Test of the 2010-11 Women’s Ashes, she impressed with bowling figures of 4/56, aiding Australia’s victory. At the 2012 World Twenty20, Perry’s Player of the Match performance in the semi-final and crucial bowling in the final secured Australia’s second consecutive title. Despite an ankle injury sidelining her for some matches, Perry’s resilient bowling in the 2013 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup final helped Australia clinch victory. She continued to excel, being named Player of the Match in the 2013-14 Women’s Ashes Test and contributing to Australia’s third consecutive World Twenty20 title in 2014.

During the 2016-17 period, while Australia faced disappointments in the 2016 World Twenty20 and 2017 Cricket World Cup, Ellyse Perry shone individually. In a remarkable stretch, she averaged 89.53 in ODI batting, showcasing her exceptional form. Notably, her historic unbeaten innings of 213 in the Women’s Ashes Test set a new record for the highest score by an Australian woman in Tests. Despite her stellar performance, Australia’s inability to secure victory in the match led to a draw. In subsequent tournaments, Perry’s pivotal contributions, including milestone achievements like 100 T20I wickets and a maiden ODI century, solidified her status as a key player for Australia.

In the 2020-21 season, Ellyse Perry played a crucial role in Australia’s triumph at the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup. Despite suffering a torn hamstring during a key match, she continued to support the team in a mentor capacity, witnessing their victory in the final against India. Perry’s perseverance amid injury earned her recognition, including a nomination for the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award. Returning to international cricket in 2021, she showcased her all-round prowess, becoming the first woman to achieve 5,000 runs and 300 wickets in international cricket.

In 2022, Perry played pivotal roles in Australia’s successes at the Women’s Ashes and the Women’s Cricket World Cup, contributing with both bat and ball. Despite facing setbacks like back spasms during the World Cup, she demonstrated resilience, helping Australia secure their second consecutive World Cup title. Additionally, Perry’s inclusion in Australia’s team for the 2022 Commonwealth Games highlighted her continued importance in the cricketing world.

Achievements and Awards:

Ellyse Perry’s illustrious cricket career is adorned with numerous team and individual accolades, solidifying her status as one of the sport’s most accomplished figures. As part of the Australian national team, Perry has secured two Women’s Cricket World Cup titles, six ICC Women’s World Twenty20 championships, and a Commonwealth Games gold medal in 2022. Additionally, she boasts an impressive record in domestic competitions, clinching eleven Women’s National Cricket League titles and two Women’s Big Bash League championships.

Individually, Perry has been recognized with prestigious awards such as the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award on three occasions, along with being named ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year and ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Decade. She has also received multiple Belinda Clark Awards, Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World titles, and was honored as one of the Wisden Cricketers of the Year in 2020. With her exceptional performances and contributions to the sport, Perry has left an indelible mark on cricket, earning her place as a legend of the game.

Stats:

Ellyse Perry, the Australian all-rounder, boasts an impressive record across multiple formats in cricket. In Test matches, she has accumulated 925 runs in 12 matches at an outstanding average of 56.07, including two centuries and four half-centuries, with a highest score of 213 not out. As a bowler in Tests, Perry has taken 38 wickets, conceding 809 runs at an average of 21.28, with a best bowling performance of 6 for 32.

In One Day Internationals (ODIs), Perry has amassed 3894 runs in 144 matches at an average of 50.57, featuring two centuries and 34 half-centuries. Her highest score in ODIs is 112 not out. With the ball in ODIs, Perry has claimed 163 wickets, giving away 4114 runs at an average of 25.23, including a remarkable best bowling figures of 7 for 22.

In T20 Internationals (T20Is), Perry has scored 1841 runs in 151 matches, averaging 31.74, with nine half-centuries to her name. Her best score in T20Is is 75 runs. As a bowler in T20Is, Perry has taken 125 wickets, conceding 2349 runs at an average of 18.79, with a best bowling performance of 4 for 12.

Additionally, Perry has also participated in the Women’s Premier League (WPL), where she has scored 253 runs in 8 matches at an average of 42.16, with two not-outs as her best score. In the WPL, she has taken 4 wickets, although her bowling statistics in terms of runs and best figures are not available.

Perry’s versatility as an all-rounder, coupled with her consistent performances across different formats, has solidified her reputation as one of the premier cricketers in the world.

Batting Stats:

Bowling Stats: