In a historic and attention-grabbing development for English domestic cricket, Australia’s legendary all-rounder Ellyse Perry has signed with Hampshire Hawks ahead of the inaugural Women’s Tier One T20 Blast competition.
Perry, considered one of the finest female cricketers of all time, brings with her a storied career and a glowing list of accolades, making this signing a serious statement of intent from the county. The 34-year-old is set to light up the English summer with her presence, adding star power and experience to the Hampshire squad.
Perry will represent Hampshire in six T20 Blast fixtures this July, along with two One Day Cup matches. She will also be available should the Hawks make it to the first-ever Women’s Finals Day, scheduled for July 27 at The Kia Oval. Her debut is set for July 4 at Chesterfield against The Blaze, followed by a highly anticipated home appearance at the Utilita Bowl on July 6 against Somerset.
The Australian great’s cricketing resume is unparalleled. Perry has clinched six ICC Women’s T20 World Cups, two ODI World Cups, a Commonwealth Games gold medal, and five Women’s Ashes series wins. She was a central figure during Australia’s recent 16-0 whitewash of England and currently holds the record as the leading run-scorer and wicket-taker in Women’s Ashes history. Her consistency, leadership, and on-field brilliance have cemented her place as a generational talent in the sport.
Adding to her recent exploits, Perry was instrumental for Royal Challengers Bangalore during their victorious 2024 Women’s Premier League campaign with 347 runs (orange cap winner) and 7 wickets. She finished second in the 2025 WPL run-scoring charts, amassing 372 runs at an astonishing average of 93. Following her Hampshire stint, she will rejoin Birmingham Phoenix for The Hundred, a side she captained last season.
Speaking about the move, Perry expressed her excitement about this new chapter in her cricketing journey. Perry reflected on the club’s role in the women’s game and her anticipation for the English summer.
“I’m really looking forward to joining the Hampshire team this summer. The club has been a leader within the women’s game for the last ten years and I’m excited to have the opportunity to join the team at such an exciting time for domestic cricket in England.”
Her arrival coincides with a fresh chapter for Hampshire, as Paul Prichard recently stepped into the role of interim head coach following Charlotte Edwards’ appointment as the new head coach of England Women. Prichard emphasized the value Perry brings to the team.
He spoke about her impact both on and off the field, “Ellyse is one of the world’s best cricketers and we are looking forward to welcoming her to the team this summer. Her record across all formats speaks for itself and she will add a tremendous amount of value on and off the pitch. Our group of young players will learn so much from Ellyse and I know our fans will be incredibly excited to see her in a Hawks shirt.”
Ellyse Perry’s influence stretches far beyond domestic cricket. With 337 international caps across formats (14 in Tests, 155 in ODIs and 168 T20Is), she has amassed 930 runs in Tests and has taken 39 wickets, along with 4,187 runs and 166 wickets in ODIs, and 2,173 runs and 126 wickets in T20Is. She remains one of Australia’s most celebrated athletes, having also represented the national football team—the Matildas—on 18 occasions, including a FIFA Women’s World Cup appearance in 2011.
Perry has donned the colours of several teams over her 17-year career, including New South Wales, Loughborough Lightning, Victoria, Supernovas, and Royal Challengers Bengaluru. She has also won 11 Women’s National Cricket League titles, two Women’s Big Bash League trophies and one Women’s Premier League trophy, reinforcing her legacy as a serial winner in every competition she enters.
Ahead of her home debut at the Utilita Bowl, Perry shared her eagerness to walk out in front of the Hampshire faithful. Perry touched on the atmosphere and excitement of playing for her new side, “There’s always a great atmosphere at Utilita Bowl and I can’t wait to walk out as part of the home team for the first time on Sunday, 6 July.”
Widely regarded as the world’s premier all-rounder, Perry has been honoured with numerous awards, including two ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Year titles and the prestigious ICC Women’s Cricketer of the Decade award in 2020. She also holds the distinction of being the youngest-ever cricketer, male or female, to represent Australia. Her long list of achievements has inspired countless fans across the world and elevated the profile of women’s cricket globally.
As the countdown begins for the 2025 Vitality Blast, which kicks off on May 30, Ellyse Perry’s arrival promises to elevate the competition’s stature and intensify the spotlight on Hampshire Hawks. With one of the game’s most iconic names in their ranks, the stage is set for an electrifying English summer.
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