Injured Perry ruled out of World Cup semi-final

Ellyse Perry has been ruled out of Australia's World Cup semi-final against West Indies on Wednesday, with the allrounder unable to recover from back spasms in time for the knockout match in Wellington.

Perry was an observer at Australia's final training session on Tuesday morning at the Basin Reserve, and captain Meg Lanning confirmed the news at her pre-match press conference.

"Unfortunately she just ran out of time to prove her fitness," Lanning said.

"We'll keep assessing her if we are to progress in the tournament so it's unfortunate for her and the team, obviously a big blow, but we feel like we've got some good depth to be able to cover it and we're going to have to do that tomorrow."

However, Lanning said the Australian camp remain optimistic Perry could be fit in time for Sunday's decider in Christchurch, should they advance but the semi-final is the immediate priority for the skipper.

"She hasn't done a lot (of training) over the past week to be fair," Lanning said. "She batted a little in the nets yesterday and felt ok but wasn't in a position to perform at the level needed tomorrow.

"That's why we've made the call today.

"We haven't looked too far ahead, we'll keep assessing her if we are to progress but the team and squad is very focussed on tomorrow.

"I'm sure there's work going on in the background to get her up to play if we were to get through."

The allrounder had faced throwdowns in the nets for 30 minutes at Monday's session but did not bowl or field.

It is a bitter blow for the 31-year-old, who was forced to watch from the sidelines of Australia's semi-final and final triumphs at the T20 World Cup in 2020 after tearing her hamstring from the bone.

Perry had been confident the injury was improving and had been optimistic of playing in the match when she spoke to media on Monday. 

"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."

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 allrounder 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.

It seems like young pace bowling allrounder Annabel Sutherland, who filled in for her senior teammate against Bangladesh, will retain her spot in the XI. 

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