Ellyse Perry – The star performer for Australia

On a pleasant Sunday night, in the Final of the ICC Women’s World Cup at the Barbourne cricket stadium, the smiling assassin from Down Under, Ellyse Perry left everyone spellbound with a virtuoso exhibition of swing bowling. Troubled by an ankle injury, the fast bowling sensation Perry could barely complete her run up. But just like a true champion, she showed that never say die attitude to play through the pain barrier, and help Australia win their sixth World Cup.

Before the all important final against the West Indies, there were doubts regarding Perry’s fitness. The 17 year rookie fast bowler, Holly Ferling who replaced the injured Perry, was impressive during the super six games. So, going into the final, there was immense pressure on Ellyse Perry to perform. By taking three crucial wickets and making a handy contribution with a bat in hand, Perry didn’t let her team down.

In the final, Ellyse Perry’s rhythmic and smooth approach to the crease was a sight to behold. The icing on the cake for all cricket aficionados being, Perry didn’t just generate prodigious swing, but outfoxed the best in the business with careful planning and perfect execution.

The essence of how well Ellyse Perry bowled against West Indies in the final, can be captured by Perry dismissing the Windies opener, Kycia Knight. Ellyse Perry angled it across the left-handed Kycia Knight, before trapping her dead in front with a delivery that swung back into her. The way she outfoxed the opener, made one wonder whether Perry was hypnotising the opposition batter into making fatal mistakes on and around the off-stump.

In many ways, Ellyse Perry is the gold standard of fast bowling in women’s cricket. When it comes to fast bowlers in women’s cricket, we can think of current Australian coach Cathryn Fitzpatrick, Jhulan Goswami from India, or the English fast bowler, Katherine Brunt. But none of them have blended with such insouciance and precision like Ellyse Perry.

What makes Ellyse Perry’s story even more fascinating is; she is a dual international, as she has played football for Australia. Ellyse Perry even got a chance to represent Australia in the football World Cup in 2011. Mere mortals like us can’t even dream of representing the country in one sport.

There may come a time when Ellyse Perry has to quit one sport. But for the time being, she seems to be enjoying playing both football and cricket. In fact, recently, Sydney FC were desperate to select her for the W-League grand football final. But unfortunately for Sydney FC, Perry turned down that offer, as she wanted to play in a warm-up game before the cricket World cup.

The 17 year old fast bowler Holly Ferling said this about Ellyse Perry, “She’s my hero. I’ve always looked up to her. To do what she’s done at such a young age is an incredible feat and I don’t think it will ever be done again.”

The youngest player to represent Australia in cricket, Ellyse Perry is no doubt a complete package. She is a dual international, bowls fast, is blessed with good looks and has a great attitude. The great story of Ellyse Perry may get even better, as just like Holly Ferling, more young girls may look at her as an inspiration, and aspire to become professional cricketers!