Perry putting her own spin on prime position

Ellyse Perry is following in the footsteps of Australia legends at No.3 but insists she's going to do it her own way this summer.

Perry has been entrusted with the key first-drop spot in the Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes Series after regular No.3 and the world's top-ranked batter Meg Lanning was ruled out with injury.

While her first knock of the series didn't go to plan – out stumped for 20 at Allan Border Field – Perry has enjoyed great success in the role in the past, having recorded four half-centuries in five innings prior to Sunday's win against England.

It's a bright start for Perry at No.3, who has played alongside Australia's best in the position; all-time national run-scorer Karen Rolton (3,472 runs at 56) and second-placed Lanning (1,901 at 70).

But while she's seen first-hand a blueprint of how to score heavily at the loss of the opening wicket, the 26-year-old says she's going to design her own style at the pivotal position.

"I've been very fortunate to play with some wonderful number threes," Perry said on Tuesday.

"First of all Karen Rolton and more recently Meg Lanning.

"I've bore witness to a lot of their success and how they go about it.

"I've got an awareness of that but having said that I'm going to do my own thing as well and play the way that I play."

Perry's ascension up the order is no surprise given her incredible output in the past four years.

In 2014 she scored six half-centuries in seven innings at 139. In only three innings in 2015 the stylish right-hander scored 193 runs and two more fifties, before a whopping 732 runs at 81 in 2016 with nine scores of 50 or more in 13 trips to the crease.

So far in 2017 Perry has compiled 451 runs at 61 with five half-centuries in 10 digs, so you can see why the star allrounder doesn't plan to change much about the way she plays in her new home in the batting order.

"At three it means you've potentially got a bit more time at the crease," she said.

"It's really important once we lose that first wicket to just re-establish a partnership pretty quickly and keep the momentum going.

"I probably struggled with that in the first game, it was just a bit slow at the start there once we got off to a flyer with 'Midge' (Alyssa Healy) there.

"That's my key role – to make sure we keep things going once we get a good start."

The one thing missing from Perry's batting resume is an elusive century.

Four times she's found herself in the 90s, with her top three scores – 95, 93 and 90 – all undefeated knocks, having either run out of balls or passed the victory target, with another 90 (out) in there for good measure.

However, Perry will have a golden opportunity to post three figures in the two one-day internationals at Coffs Harbour International Sports Stadium this week, first on Thursday and then Sunday, a venue where she registered two half-centuries from as many matches last summer.

"Everything is fantastic about Coffs," she said.

"The facilities are world-class, it's really nice to play matches here, you've got great local support.

"I've actually played quite a lot of sport here as a youngster so I know it quite well.

"It's nice having the beach and the beautiful weather and a few nice cafes.

"I think we all feel pretty at home and comfortable here.

"The wicket is brilliant, it's always got a bit of pace and carry in it and the outfield is quick, so it's a great place to play."

Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes

Australia lead England 2-0

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

Brisbane Charity Partner: Lord Mayor's Charitable Trust

Second ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 26

Third ODI Coffs International Stadium, October 29

Coffs Junior Cricket Association Partners: Coffs Harbour District JCA, Nambucca Bellingen JCA, and Clarence River JCA

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