Perry faces late fitness test ahead of semi-final

Ellyse Perry remains under a cloud for Australia's World Cup semi-final showdown with West Indies on Wednesday, with the allrounder restricted to light duties at training just 48 hours out from the match.

Perry was forced from the field during Australia's match against South Africa last Tuesday due to back spasms and missed their subsequent outing against Bangladesh.

The Australian team hope she can rally in time for the knockout game at Basin Reserve – even if she just plays as a batter – but her return to training for the first time since the injury on Monday was a brief one.

The 31-year-old allrounder faced throwdowns in the nets for 30 minutes, but did not face deliveries from her teammates, field or bowl during the session.

Image Id: C434A527B47441BCA52ED3BE392797C8 Image Caption: Perry faced only gentle throwdowns in the nets on Monday // cricket.com.au

Australia have one final practice session at the Wellington ground on Tuesday morning for Perry to prove her fitness.

"Each day we've assessed it, seen where it's at, and it definitely has been improving, which is really nice," Perry said on Monday ahead of Australia's training session.

"It's going really well, but obviously just need to make sure that I'm in the best possible spot to be able to contribute, if I was to play.

"We'll do a couple more things at training in the next few days.

"And if I get there, I do. Fingers crossed."

Perry was player of the match during Australia's comfortable win over West Indies at the same ground earlier in the tournament, removing key West Indies batters Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews and Kycia Knight inside the powerplay and finishing with 3-22.

However, Darcie Brown was rested from that match and will – barring any last-minute disasters – feature in the semi-final, meaning Perry would unlikely be required to open the bowling even if fully fit.

Australia have had seven bowling options in their XI every game this tournament, so playing Perry as a batter alone would take away one of those – and likely see Annabel Sutherland, who filled in for her senior teammate against Bangladesh, left out of the side.

Perry missed Australia's semi-final and final at the T20 World Cup on home soil in early 2020 after tearing her hamstring and would be desperate to avoid sitting on the sidelines for another knockout match.

Image Id: A96D4F07EDB14A4AB9CDCD3B6D1AA4A6 Image Caption: Perry had a lengthy chat with the medical staff at Monday's training // cricket.com.au

But she would not be drawn into speculation around whether she could play as a specialist batter, an idea mooted by coach Matthew Mott on Saturday, or whether she might not risk the semi-final, in the hopes of playing in the final if Australia won through to the match on April 3.

"I don't think you can have that approach to World Cup games," Perry said.

"(The next match) is the most important thing at the time rather than casting your mind ahead.

"(Playing as a specialist batter) is very much up to the coaching staff and selectors.

"But if I can contribute in a really positive way and add to the team by being in it, absolutely (I'll play), I'd love to be part of it.

"It's not my call, but I'll do everything I possibly can to be fit one way or another."

Perry said she had kept an eye on India's thrilling final-over defeat to South Africa on Sunday evening, which determined Australia's next opponent and the location of their semi-final.

Australia were safe on top of the table, but West Indies were left with their future in the tournament hanging in the balance following a washout against the Proteas last Thursday, needing India to lose in order to remain in the top four.

"I think we all had an eye on it, for packing purposes as well because if India had won that match we would have headed to Christchurch today," Perry said.

"It was an amazing game, and I think it's a really indicative of just how amazing this competition's been, there's been so many final-over results as we've gone along, and so many close calls."

ICC Women's Cricket World Cup 2022

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Darcie Brown, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Grace Harris, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Alana King, Beth Mooney, Tahlia McGrath, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Annabel Sutherland, Amanda-Jade Wellington. Travelling reserves: Heather Graham, Georgia Redmayne

Australia's World Cup 2022 fixtures

Mar 5: Beat England by 12 runs

Mar 8: Beat Pakistan by seven wickets

Mar 13: Beat New Zealand by 141 runs

Mar 15: Beat West Indies by seven wickets

Mar 19: Beat India by six wickets

Mar 22: Beat South Africa by five wickets

Mar 25: Beat Bangladesh by five wickets

CLICK HERE FOR THE FULL WORLD CUP SCHEDULE

Semi-finals

Mar 30: Australia v West Indies, Basin Reserve, Wellington, 9am AEDT

Mar 31: South Africa v England, Hagley Park, Christchurch, 12pm AEDT

Final

Apr 3: Hagley Park Christchurch, 11am AEST

All matches to be broadcast in Australia on Fox Cricket and Kayo Sports