MUMBAI: Ellyse Perry says that playing 400 matches could be possible, but she is keeping an open mind regarding the remainder of her incredible international cricket career.
When India hosts the second game of their Twenty20 International Series in Mumbai on Sunday, the all-rounder will become the first Australian woman to reach 300 appearances for her country.
Perry is one of Australia’s greatest athletes of all time and a major factor in the national women’s team’s continued success. When asked if playing 400 games was a goal, Perry replied that she had no upper limit on her playing career.
“I don’t know what’s in store but if it’s meant to be down the track and I’m still around playing. I’m really open to what happens,” she stated from her homeland. “I have no scheduled time.”
“For as long as I can contribute to the team and it’s something I find really motivating and enjoyable, I’d love to be here.”
Perry changed her style of play to become a key member of Australia’s T20I squad after being dropped off of it early in 2022.
Additionally, since suffering a significant hamstring injury during the 2020 World Cup, the 33-year-old has bowled less. For both Perry and the formidable Australian squad, it is imperative that they continue to develop as individuals.
This visit has seen India defeat Australia in a Test match for the first time, as well as win the initial Twenty20 International match. In between, the tourists won the one-day series handily.
“For us, the era of progress is fantastic. The way Phoebe Litchfield has played in those one-day matches and the way Annabel Sutherland has played in the previous 12 months, you’ve seen a lot of that,” Perry stated.
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We’re quite aware of the need to both preserve the success we’ve had and evolve it, making the team appear slightly different when they play. The pace of the game is rather quick. The surroundings are different. There are many ways in which the possibilities are endless.”
In her homage to her family, Perry mentioned how much she still looks forward to their online chats with her father Mark.
“He bowls me every time. Dad will always have my measure, all things considered,” she remarked.
Women’s cricket is growing quickly, and Perry has played a major role in that growth. 86,000 people came to the MCG to watch Australia win the 2020 World Cup final.
“It was probably about thirty people at my first game in Darwin,” she recalled after her 2007 debut. “It continues to blow my socks off when stuff like that happens, which has been a true privilege.”
