The Australian Ellyse Perry has played a monumental role in driving the Royal Challengers Bangalore towards its first WPL cup. After all, the Australian blood hunts for victory, and that’s exactly what she’s done. This title win is an addition to the several accolades she has collected throughout her prized career. Let’s look at the all-round talent’s journey.
Uniquely Ellyse
Ellyse Perry holds the distinct honour of representing her country in both cricket and football. According to Perry, cricket was a summer sport, and football was a winter sport. During winter, all her friends used to play football, which is when she started playing it as well. Ellyse was named in the Australian women’s cricket squad when she was aged merely 16. Thirteen days later, she made her international debut with the Australian women’s soccer team, the Matildas. She played 16 games for the Matildas, including the 2011 World Cup campaign her team even went on to reach the quarterfinals and she famously struck a left-footed goal against Sweden in that match. Cricket Australia, with all the talents they could call upon, called Perry ‘arguably the best athlete in Australia’, and it is clear why she deserves this title.
Her Career
Ellyse Perry has seen the success that very few, if any, have witnessed in their careers. With an unparalleled 8 (that’s right, EIGHT) world titles with Australia, 11 Women’s National Cricket League Championships with New South Wales, 2 Women’s Big Bash League titles with Sydney Sixers, and now the WPL trophy with the Royal Challengers Bangalore, it is a list people would die to have their name against. Her trophy cabinet is a representation of her unrivalled success at the highest level of cricket. An even longer list emerges when we look at her success for the country in the Ashes, the Women’s Cricketer of the Year award from ICC and many other instances where she has been a beacon of top-level sportswomanship.
The WPL
This year’s WPL was witness to Ellyse’s talents at peak. Ellyse was a dependable and formidable opener and was the backbone of the batting lineup and anchored the team to good totals whenever it was necessary, which was most of the tournament. With 347 runs in 9 matches, she edged out Meg Lanning to win the orange cap. She averaged a highly impressive 69.40 with a strike rate of 125.72. But that’s not all. She surprised everyone when she not only came onto bowl but picked up a tournament-best 6-15 against a phenomenal Mumbai side and ended the league with 7 wickets, with a great economy of 6.81. The orange cap suits her and is a testament to her dedication and skill.
Ellyse Perry is one of the greatest cricketers to grace the cricket field, and at the age of 33, she has a lot more to offer for any team she plays for. Multi-faceted, multi-talented, elegant, sophisticated, delivers under high pressure. All these words and yet they don’t seem to describe how incredible Ellyse has been throughout her career. It’s been a delight to watch her, and she will continue to deliver exemplary results as long as she plays.
Image Credits @ The Australian
