Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry is looking ready to play in the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2026 Final against England after coming through an important training session before Sunday’s big match at Lord’s.
The 35-year-old picked up a minor quad problem during Australia’s semi-final against West Indies at The Oval on June 30. Perry retired hurt after facing seven balls during Australia’s successful chase. The Australian team later said she had “quad awareness” and explained that taking her off the field was only a precaution.
Since then, Australia have been carefully working on her recovery. Although the team has not officially confirmed that Perry will play in the final, Friday’s training session gave plenty of positive signs.
Perry trained at almost full intensity, spent a long time batting in the nets and looked comfortable throughout the session. She did not appear to have any major problems while batting or moving around, giving Australia confidence that one of their most experienced players will be available for the final.
Australia head coach Shelley Nitschke had already said that Perry could still play even if she is not completely back to full fitness because of how important a World Cup final is. Perry has once again been one of Australia’s best players during this tournament. She is Australia’s highest run-scorer with 185 runs, including three half-centuries, and has played a big role in helping the six-time champions reach another Women’s T20 World Cup final.
One of her best innings came earlier in the tournament at Lord’s, where she scored a brilliant 56 against India. Australia were in trouble during the chase before Perry guided the team to victory with another calm and match-winning knock. It was another reminder of how important she is in pressure situations.
Perry has scored her runs at a strike rate of 135.03 during this World Cup. She has also rotated the strike very well, making sure Australia keep the scoreboard moving. In fact, among all players who have scored more than 1,000 runs in Women’s T20 Internationals, Perry has the lowest dot-ball percentage, showing how regularly she keeps the innings moving.
Even though she bowls less often now than she did earlier in her career, Perry has still made useful contributions with the ball. She has taken four wickets in the three matches where Australia have used her as a bowler during this tournament.
Australia batter Phoebe Litchfield praised Perry’s efforts to recover in time for the final and said the experienced all-rounder has done everything possible to get herself ready.
“She’s great,” Litchfield said. “She’s prepping really well and she’s the ultimate professional. She had a total wellness day yesterday, apparently, just getting everything right. As you can all imagine, she wants to be out there on Sunday and is doing everything in her ability to do that, which is the true professional that she is.”
Australia will now face hosts England in what promises to be one of the biggest matches in women’s cricket. Both teams have remained unbeaten throughout the tournament and have looked like the strongest sides from the very beginning.
It will also be the first Women’s World Cup final between the Ashes rivals since Australia’s victory in the 50-over World Cup final in 2022. England are hoping to win their first Women’s World Cup title since their famous triumph at Lord’s in 2017, while Australia will be aiming to lift the Women’s T20 World Cup trophy for a record-extending seventh time.
If Perry is officially declared fit before the match, Australia will receive a huge boost as they look to win another world title at the Home of Cricket.
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