Ellyse Perry celebrates her 31st birthday and she is the epitome of a sporting genius, especially in cricket where her records are simply staggering.
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“A woman with exceptional physical or mental ability, especially one who successfully manages everything.” That is the definition of a superwoman when one looks up in the dictionary. Women are considered exceptional in most fields that they go into. But, when it comes to cricket, there is one individual that raises the definition of superwoman to a different level altogether.
She has over 5000 runs and 300 wickets in all formats combined. This Australian legend has the best haul in an ODI while averaging 86 with the bat in Tests. She is a World Cup winner both in ODIs and T20Is and has also achieved success in one of the best Twenty20 leagues for women in the world. On top of that, she has also conquered the pain index during one major tournament which enhanced her legendary status.
On top of all these mega-achievements, she is a double international for Australia. In addition to cricket, she has also played international football for The Matildas, the Australia women’s team. In a nutshell, Ellyse Perry is the embodiment of brilliance in the world of cricket and sport. A freakish once-in-a-generation individual that can change the landscape of a sport entirely.
The first glimpse of Ellyse Perry as one of the greatest players came in her formative years. At the age of 17, she played for Australia in cricket having already excelled in football. But, it was in the 2010 ICC Women’s World Cup final where she gave an exhibition of her brilliance. Needing to defend a few runs from the last over, Ellyse Perry nailed the yorkers at will. She also bowled at pace, sometimes touching over 110 kmph which was huge for women’s cricket.
In that final against New Zealand in the 2010 ICC World T20 in Barbados, one particular moment epitomized Perry. The batter hit a fierce straight drive. But, Perry unleashed her football skills and saved a certain boundary to help Australia win the title in grand style. It was her exhibition in Barbados 11 years ago that cemented her reputation as one of the best.
But, her legendary feats of endurance came to the fore in the 2013 ICC Women’s ODI World Cup. Plagued with an ankle injury throughout the tournament, Perry had missed games but Australia reached the final. For a pace bowler, an ankle injury is deadly. But, in the final against West Indies in Brabourne, she battled the pain barrier brilliantly. Perry got some crucial wickets and Australia managed to win the title in a grand way. That feat of endurance from Perry on that day in 2013 cemented her reputation as an icon of Australian cricket.
In the subsequent years, Ellyse Perry has become the symbol of greatness in the Australian women’s cricket team. It is no surprise that Perry’s dominance is a reflection of the current domination of the Australian cricket team in all spheres of women’s cricket.
Her first ton in Tests was a magnificent double century in the Women’s Ashes. But, it is her consistency that is staggering. An average of 86 in 14 years of women’s cricket in Tests. She IS that good. In ODIs, she averages 50 with the bat and 25 with the ball. Her best of 7/22, in addition to three five-wicket hauls, is a testament to how she wants to push the women’s game ahead.
Sure, there are other players who have taken more wickets and scored more runs than Perry. But, when one looks at the combined feat of 3000 runs and 150 wickets, there is none better than Perry. The fact that she has sustained it across all formats is truly remarkable.
For all the success achieved by Perry in the world of cricket, there might not be many individuals who can match up to her. She is also a magnificent brand ambassador for women’s cricket. It is not uncommon to state that many women cricketers look up to Ellyse Perry as their role model for success. Women’s cricket has gained popularity only due to the exploits of Ellyse Perry in all formats.
Currently, Australia has a core of great players that have developed all around Ellyse Perry. The likes of Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning and Beth Mooney have all become great but Perry is the one constant. She has been on the scene for 14 years and has seen Australia become a great side to a simply freakish side full of records.
There will never be another Ellyse Perry in world cricket. We all have seen the brilliance of all-rounders like Jacques Kallis, Sir Gary Sobers, Imran Khan, Kapil Dev, Sir Richard Hadlee, and Sir Ian Botham. But, when one sees Perry and her consistency, all these male cricketers are put into the backdrop on the sheer level of her consistency.
