The Jemimah Rodrigues of Australia, Ellyse Alexandra Perry who was born on November 3,1990 made it into both the soccer and cricket teams of her nation at the age of 16. The youngest player to represent her nation, Perry made her first appearance in the 22 – yard circle in July 2007 and a month later made into the soccer ground as well. Besides being the youngest to represent the yellows, she is also the first Australian to have played both the cricket and football World Cups.
An inspiration to many, Perry is an all-rounder who started her career playing for New South Wales in the U-19 interstate tournament in January 2007. A rather pleasing performance in the tournament, Ellyse got a place in the senior team in July 2007. A sweet 16 for sure, as she made her debut for the yellows on 22nd July at the age of 16. Perry bagged two wickets on her debut appearance and scored 19 runs out of the 20 balls that she faced.
The youngster made her debut in the Women’s National Cricket League during the Australian summer 2007-8 and bagged two wickets in her first game one of them being that of Karen Rolton – the best rated in the world then. Retaining her spot in the team against England and a tour to New Zealand, Perry hit 29 runs and took 4 wickets conceding 20 runs to take her team over the line. She proved her fielding skills as well affecting a crucial run out in the same game.
She made her test debut at the age of 17. Like the toughest format of the game, it was a rather tough game of cricket for Perry. To prove herself, she had to swim through the testing waters with immense strength and belief in herself.
She grew as player with her first World Cup game in 2009! She learnt and moulded herself and realised that it’s okay to not score on a specific day or get hit for runs but it’s not okay to not keep moving forward. 2009 also got the better out of her and probably would only like to go back to it to remember her learnings.
2010 saw her as an emerging player who looked to be some talent that is to be followed! She bagged the woman of the game in the final match of the World Twenty20. A year to remember for her as she took 18 wickets in 10 WODIs against New Zealand with her team winning all the games against their neighbour. She got a place in all the World T20 games and with that made her mark of the legend in the being. It was also the year where she took her first 5 wicket haul.
Perry just kept taking all the negatives in her stride, she made it a point to learn from them and where the positives are concerned, she looked to carry it with her through her career. That is what makes her the player that she is today. She’s been one player who has enjoyed the roller coaster ride with utmost joy and confidence always looking to better with each game that she plays. This is what makes her a player that she is – full of character, intent and someone whom probably everyone looks upto!
2018, was another journey for her! It was the start of something beautiful where she played her 100th T20 international against India during the ICC T20 World Cup!
Perry also had her own stand where Women’s Big Bash League is concerned! She was the captain of Sydney Sixers in the inaugural season, who managed to make her team finish at second place even after losing the first 6 at the start!
She came across as an extremely humble and generous lady who showed concern for a boy who had been hit by the ball when she went for a flyer asking the on field medicine incharge to check on him. That adds onto why people look upto her always.
Concluding, her journey as a sportsperson has been one of kind with all its dynamics and tough choices – it’s had its own share of opportunities and challenges, hardships and fun! She has made her name not only as a mere sports woman who represented her nation in both football and cricket but as someone who is also a great human! An inspirational journey and an all the more inspiring woman indeed!
