Quantcast

Big crowd trumped record runs: Perry

Star allrounder singles out enthusiastic North Sydney crowd as the 'biggest thrill' of her record-breaking day

Ellyse Perry says the biggest thrill of her spectacular career is not her maiden international century, the double-century that followed, the World Cup wins or the Ashes triumphs but playing in front of cricket-loving crowds in the historic day-night Women's Ashes Test.

Perry had 213 reasons to smile on Saturday after putting England to the sword in record-breaking style, but she says seeing fans flock in droves to watch elite women's cricket surpasses all personal and team achievements she's enjoyed since debuting 10 years ago. 

Perry powers her way to double ton

"More than anything I think what's been the biggest thrill for the last three days has been the people who have come to this match and the atmosphere that has been created," Perry said. 

"The work that Cricket Australia has done to get this platform set and the coverage of the game … people are just enjoying the cricket. 

"The amount of young kids I've seen the last three days that have hung around for autographs late into the night that, for me, is the biggest thrill I've ever had in my career."

More than 10,000 fans have attended the first three days of the Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes Test while tens of thousands of have watched the free world-class live stream.


Cricket Australia and Commonwealth Bank joined forces to deliver the live stream, which is being shown on UK television by BT Sports, while the countless number of hours invested by the CA events and marketing teams to promote and deliver an outstanding event should not go unmentioned. 

Perry-inspired Aussies have upper hand

Close to 4,000 fans packed into North Sydney Oval on day three to watch Perry get the monkey off her back and finally post her first century for Australia after four trips to the 90s without pushing on. 

Sprinting run No.100 with Perry was Alyssa Healy, Australia's dynamic wicketkeeper-batter who made 45 and a friend so close to the allrounder she's practically family.

"We've played cricket together since we were about nine years old so I very much consider Midge (Healy) to be a sister," Perry said. 

"It was very special to be out there with her and share that with her. 

"More than anything I thought she batted exceptionally well last night and again today and really set the tone for us and we got some momentum back early on which was great and really special to share that with Midge."

She deserved to raise her bat twice: Healy

Healy told cricket.com.au after play how the moment was not lost on her either.


"Really special for me," Healy said. 

"I was out there when she scored her first domestic hundred as well, so really nice for me to be out there and give her a cuddle when she got a hundred. 

"I was fist-pumping the whole time down the wicket willing the ball to go for four. 

"Unbelievable innings, great for me to be up the other end and hopefully there's many more to come for her in Aussie colours."

Perry's double-century celebrations delayed

After cruising through to the 190s, Perry had two cracks at celebrating her 200 when the six she thought she hit to bring up the milestone was ruled four by the third umpire. 

Perry composed herself to hammer a straight boundary the following over, but Healy says that knock was worth two celebrations. 


"I think the fans over on the hill stitched her up a little bit and us over here, we couldn't quite see," said Healy, who was sitting on the sidelines when Perry closed in on the landmark score. 

"It's very rare you get to celebrate one double-hundred and she got to do it twice today. 

"It's the Ellyse Perry Test match. She's going to dominate my social media for at least two weeks after this. 

"Full credit to her, she deserved to raise her bat twice."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia lead England 4-2

Australia squad (ODI and Test): Rachael Haynes (C), Alex Blackwell (VC), Kristen Beams, Nicole Bolton, Lauren Cheatle, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Tahlia McGrath, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Belinda Vakarewa (Test only), Elyse Villani, Amanda-Jade Wellington.

England squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Jenny Gunn, Alex Hartley, Danielle Hazell, Laura Marsh, Anya Shrubsole, Sarah Taylor, Nat Sciver, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danielle Wyatt.

Schedule


First ODI Australia won by two wickets

Second ODI Australia won by 75 runs (DLS method)

Third ODI England won by 20 runs (DLS method)

Day-Night Test North Sydney Oval, November 9-12

First T20 North Sydney Oval, November 17

North Sydney Charity Partner: McGrath Foundation

Second T20 Manuka Oval, November 19

Third T20 Manuka Oval, November 21

Canberra Charity Partner: Lord's Taverners ACT