In a high-stakes encounter on December 7, 2025, at North Sydney Oval, 35-year-old all-rounder Ellyse Perry etched her name in the Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) history books. Perry became only the second player, after Beth Mooney from Perth Scorchers, to surpass 5,000 runs in the tournament. Her landmark achievement came during a nail-biting final league match of WBBL 11 between Sydney Sixers and Adelaide Strikers.
With both teams battling for a knockout berth, Perry’s commanding century was the linchpin in the Sixers’ thrilling 1-run victory over the Strikers, led by skipper Tahlia McGrath.
Perry, opening for Sydney Sixers alongside Sophia Dunkley, delivered a career-best batting performance in the WBBL, scoring 111 runs off 71 balls. Her innings included 16 boundaries and 3 sixes, marking her third century in the league. The Sixers posted an imposing 173/4 in their full quota of overs.
Amid immense pressure in a do-or-die match, Perry’s innings anchored the innings perfectly. In recognition, she was awarded Player of the Match as her side climbed to second place in the points table with 13 points, securing a spot in the knockouts from 10 games, boasting 6 wins, 3 losses, and a washed-out match.
Ellyse Perry’s 2025 WBBL Campaign
The ongoing 11th edition of the WBBL has seen Perry continue her consistent run-scoring form. As Sydney Sixers’ leading run-scorer and the fourth-highest run-getter of the tournament, she has amassed 383 runs from 9 innings at an impressive strike rate of 141.85 and an average of 54.71. Her tally includes a century and two half-centuries, underlining her vital role at the top of the Sixers’ order.
Since making her WBBL debut for the Sixers on December 6, 2015, against Sydney Thunder, Perry has been a cornerstone of the team. Accumulating 5,072 runs at an average of 49.24 and a strike rate of 111.03 in 143 matches highlights her long-standing excellence. Over those innings, she has crafted 34 half-centuries and three centuries. Perry has led the Sixers as captain since the tournament’s inaugural season, steering them to back-to-back championships in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 seasons, the first team to achieve consecutive WBBL titles.
Her individual accolades include finishing as the tournament’s leading run-scorer thrice, in 2017-18 (552 runs), 2018-19 (778 runs), and most recently in 2024-25 (424 runs). She was awarded Player of the Tournament in 2018-19 and shared the honour in 2024-25 alongside Jess Jonassen.
Although Ashleigh Gardner has taken over captaincy duties for the current season, Perry’s contribution remains central to the Sixers’ competitiveness and aspirations. Sydney Sixers await the winner of the knockout game between the Perth Scorchers, led by skipper Sophie Devine and Melbourne Stars, led by skipper Annabel Sutherland, at the W.A.C.A, Perth, on 9th December 2025 from 1:40 PM IST.
Ellyse Perry’s journey through the WBBL reflects a rare blend of unwavering skill, leadership, and longevity. Her crossing of the 5,000-run milestone not only celebrates her personal brilliance but also cements her legacy as one of the greatest players in the history of women’s domestic T20 cricket.
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