Records, Reinvention, and the Perry Perry Anthem: Ellyse Perry’s Cricket Evolution with some Chai on the side

#Part1 of The Spotlight Series

01.08.2024

Welcome to the Spotlight Series! Over the next few weeks, we'll delve into key players, teams, statistics, and more as we build up to the much-anticipated T20 World Cup.

It feels only fitting to kick off this series with a tribute to one of women’s cricket’s true legends and the Women’s Cricketer of the Decade: Ellyse Perry. Having grown up admiring her, Perry has always been my all-time favorite cricketer, making this article particularly special. With her recent milestone of 17 years in the game, this tribute celebrates not only her enduring legacy, but also her remarkable contributions to the sport.

During the Women's Premier League (WPL) this year, Perry won the hearts of the Indian crowd and many other fans worldwide with her standout performances. Whether it was off the ground winning hearts in a saree or on the ground, breaking the window of the Tata Punch EV striker and fulfilling many childhood dreams, Ellyse Perry reminded us all that she is indeed the G.O.A.T.

Her recent form is the result of hard work behind the scenes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. Perry enjoyed an almost uninterrupted golden phase of form and fitness for the first 12 years of her career. However, she faced a significant setback during the T20 World Cup in 2020 when she tore her hamstring. Though always a team player and humble, it would have been a little difficult during the 2020 World Cup final as she watched her teammates dominate India in Melbourne in front of an 86,000+ strong crowd. This was the beginning of several challenges for Perry, including a stress fracture in her back that kept her from bowling in the 2022 World Cup.

Perry has had to adapt her game to keep up with the rapidly evolving 20-over format. With a career strike rate of 111.63, younger all-rounders like Tahlia McGrath, Annabel Sutherland, and powerhouse Ashleigh Gardner were preferred over Perry. She was left out of the Australian T20 XI for more than 12 months. The greatest players never know when to give up, and this setback only made her go back to the drawing board and bring a new level to her game. When she returned to the XI in December 2022 against India at the DY Patil Stadium, she made an immediate impact, taking the crucial wicket of Shafali Verma and following it up with a wicket maiden, dismissing Jemimah Rodrigues.

Though Perry still doesn’t bowl as much, perhaps due to injury management and the depth in the Australian cricket team, she showcased her bowling prowess when RCB's seasoned bowlers were struggling. She casually took a six-wicket haul in a must-win game for RCB, setting the record for the best bowling figures in the WPL by doing the basics right – good length, hitting the top of off-stump.

If there's one word to describe Perry's cricket, it would be 'simple.' It’s easy to watch her bat and tell a kid, "Look, that’s how you do it." There's nothing extravagant; it's just an extension of the basics, and it's a joy to watch. Mel Jones often mentions the transformation in Perry’s game over the last 18 months, which has upped her strike rate and cemented her position in any modern T20 side. While her style is an extension of basic cricket shots, the effort and hard work she has put into evolving her game cannot be understated. In this era of switch hits and scoops, Perry plays cricket her way, showing that with solid foundations, you can adapt to the changing game.

Numbers Don’t Lie

From 2022 to 2024, Perry has been one of the most consistent performers in the T20 format. Her career strike rate of 111.63 has been eclipsed by her recent strike rate of 130.63, reflecting a more aggressive approach. In 2023, Perry had the highest strike rate among women who faced over 200 balls in T20 internationals. Her ability to balance aggressive batting with her all-rounder skills makes her indispensable to the Australian team.

Her recent rich vein of form began in October 2023 against the West Indies, where she averaged 55 and struck at 144.73. This was followed by an incredible WBBL season, scoring almost 500 runs at a strike rate of 135. Despite some struggles against South Africa, she scored her first 50 for Birmingham Phoenix in this year’s Hundred, making a well-made 65. Her form is undeniable, and with recent injury concerns for Sophie Molineux and Grace Harris, Perry may need to shoulder more responsibility to maintain team balance. Her ability to contribute in all departments makes her a crucial part of the Australian squad for the upcoming tournament.

During the WPL, Perry adapted to various match situations. When RCB’s top order was firing, she played quick-fire cameos, scoring at above 150 at times. When there were collapses, her strike rate adjusted to build an innings, exemplified by her 40 not out from 38 balls against Mumbai, which proved game-changing. In the final, she scored at a strike rate of 94.59 on a slow pitch, ensuring RCB lifted the trophy and ended years of heartbreak.

Perry’s increased strike rate also means more boundaries, coming earlier and faster in her innings. The rise of social media and shorter attention spans means there’s a demand for quick entertainment and power hitting. Players who do not adapt may fall away, but Perry has found her way and continues to develop to meet modern cricket's demands.

However, given the expected conditions in Bangladesh, Perry may need to adopt a balanced approach. In a tournament that is expected to be spin-friendly, batters will need to rely on timing, placement, and fitness to run between the wickets. While there is an emphasis on aggressive batting and quick scoring, Bangladeshi pitches require a delicate balance between patience and aggression. Perry is well equipped to manage this challenge, thanks to her unparalleled fitness levels and, most importantly, her extensive experience.

17 years and counting…

Perry recently celebrated 300 games and 17 years of cricket, marking a glorious career. Yes, the last four years have been a period of growth and learning, but Perry was a legend well before the pandemic. The last 24 months have simply cemented her place among the greats of modern cricket.

Perry has achieved numerous milestones, including being the first player to score 1000 runs and take 100 wickets in T20Is. She is also the first woman to reach 300 wickets and 5000 runs in international cricket across all formats.

She has constantly stated that she is lucky to be playing for Australia in an era of growth for women’s sport across the world but she is also a huge reason that game has come so far for women around the world. Perry's contributions to key victories, such as her performances in World Cup finals and pivotal Ashes series, underscore her impact on the game. Her record-breaking achievements, including being the first Australian cricketer to play 100 T20Is and achieving milestones in both runs and wickets, mark her as a pivotal figure in the history of women's cricket.

Fans' Adoration

“Perry Perry Lady, going through a motion…” She’s changed a song. That’s it, that’s the story.

I joke, of course, but I do wonder sometimes as a celebrity what it feels like to watch fan-made edits of yourself. Does it weird you out seeing some of those videos, or does it entertain you? I’d like to think watching cool edits of yourself doing the thing that you’re good at is kind of nice to watch.

Fans have fallen so in love with Perry, that the song ‘Cheri Cheri Lady’ by Modern Talking has been doing the rounds on most cricket fan’s social media feeds, often accompanied by a video of Ellyse Perry doing Ellyse Perry things. However, fans have decided that the song goes ‘Perry Perry Lady’ instead and are having the time of their life celebrating the legend that is Ellyse Perry. The song is well and truly stuck in my head, I wonder if it’s the same for all of you.

How Many Cups of Masala Chai?

In a post-match review with Smriti Mandhana, it was revealed that Perry had 12 cups of Masala Chai every day during the WPL. Now, as an avid tea drinker myself, I proudly applaud this behaviour. I now know what to bring with me if I ever get lucky enough to speak with her. I might ask her to sign my tea cup instead of my cricket bat - or maybe I’ll bring both.

Jokes aside, Ellyse Perry, if you ever stumble upon this article, please know you are an inspiration to me and countless other cricket lovers worldwide. Thank you for choosing cricket and I’ll do my best not to totally geek out if I ever have the honour of meeting you.