Perry calls for final-overs focus

Making the most of strong foundations with the bat will be a key focus for Australia as they continue their Women’s World Cup preparations, says allrounder Ellyse Perry.

Australia claimed a commanding 46-run win over New Zealand in an unofficial warm-up in Southampton on Wednesday, with Perry’s century and an all-round performance with the ball ensuring they remained in control throughout.

Quick Single: Perry propels Aussies to warm-up win

But the victory wasn’t without its hiccups, a collapse of 5-35 restricting Australia to 287, then, while they reduced the White Ferns to 7-126 with the ball, their rivals frustrated the Australian attack and added a further 115 runs for the final three wickets before eventually being dismissed in the 48th over.

But there were plenty of positives in the performance, Perry believes, while Australia have a further two practice matches up their sleeves to shake off the "rust".

"It was a great hit out and it’s always awesome playing New Zealand, everyone got a good chance in the middle which is probably what we needed after a lot of preparation back home and not as many official games," Perry said following Wednesday’s match.

"There was a bit of rust but that’s okay, we’ve got a little bit of time before the first proper match.

"There were lots of positives from today both with both bat and ball but we were just lacking that polish.

"We bowled too many four-balls and a few loose shots as well as not finishing our innings again which was quite disappointing, but they’re solid opposition and it was nice to play some good cricket in patches."

Earlier in the week, head coach Matthew Mott called upon the Australian batters to boost their late-innings efforts and make the most of strong foundations in the final 10 overs.

On Wednesday, Australia had seemed to be cruising towards a total above 300 at 4-239 in the 40th over, only to lose their final six wickets for 48 runs in 8.3 overs, including the set Perry on 104.

"I think in the next couple of days that will be a good focus for us in training," Perry said when asked what her team needed to do to turn around the trend of late-innings fade-aways.

"Making the right decisions of what balls to hit and where to score our runs, I think probably we don’t quite have the right tempo at the moment.

"We’re either going for the big shots or defending and I think there needs to be a bit more in between, picking the gaps, not letting the bowlers settle and putting pressure on ourselves.

"But we’ve got a few more chances in practice matches before we start the World Cup."

Wednesday also provided Belinda Vakarewa with her first opportunity in Australian colours, the 19-year-old quick’s figures of 0-29 from three overs not fully telling the tale of a series of edges, including two off the bat of Rachel Priest that missed the Kiwi opener’s off-stump by mere millimeters.

"She bowled really well," Perry said. "She is really threatening and bowls good pace.

"What’s awesome about Belinda is how she attacks the game out on the field and with the ball, she’s a real attribute."

Australia will enjoy a day off training on Thursday – golf and sightseeing on the agenda of the World Cup squad eager to make the most of the free time – before an intra-squad practice match on Friday.

Two warm-up games against South Africa and Pakistan in Oakham and Leicester respectively will follow next week ahead of Australia’s World Cup opener on June 26 in Taunton.

"It’s incredible," Perry said of the opportunity to spend two weeks adjusting to the local conditions.

"The preparation we had back home over a couple of months and five weeks’ worth of camps, and then coming here for a couple weeks as well, has just been awesome for the group.

"The way everyone has applied themselves and got the most out of it, we don’t have any excuses by the start of the World Cup not to be playing well."