'Women's game needs scrutiny' - Perry on The Hundred and Ashes

The Hundred's Queen? Ellyse Perry Stays Focused Amidst Global Cricket Boom

Ellyse Perry has seen it all in women's cricket. From her debut at just 16 years old to juggling international football with her iconic performances on the pitch, she's a living legend. The 34-year-old all-rounder boasts an astonishing 337 caps for Australia and is now one of the most sought-after players in franchise leagues worldwide.

Having already tasted success in India's Women's Premier League and her native Women's Big Bash (WBBL), Perry is currently playing her third season with Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred. She recently played for Hampshire in both the Women's Vitality Blast and the One-Day Cup.

While Perry's focus remains on leading Phoenix, who finished seventh last year, she, along with other Australian stars like Alana King, Beth Mooney, Annabel Sutherland, and Phoebe Litchfield, will have their eyes set on defending their 50-over World Cup title in India this autumn.

A Moment in Time?

Australia's recent 16-0 Ashes victory over England put women's cricket in the UK under a spotlight like never before. “It’s really easy to get caught up in the scoreline of that series without really seeing the bigger picture,” Perry says. "There are some amazing players in that English team, world-class players who can win a game from anywhere.”

Perry acknowledges the historic nature of the win but believes it was a "moment in time," adding: “The next time we meet, it’ll be different circumstances – maybe in a World Cup. It’s a moment that has passed and not something that we all want to get stuck on or gloat about because cricket is so fickle, things can change so quickly.”

Growth Through Scrutiny

England's performance sparked widespread criticism and scrutiny, with fans voicing their frustration over repeated claims of being "so close" to beating Australia. Perry welcomes the increased attention on women’s cricket.

“It shows that people care, and people expect a certain level of performance from their elite female teams and they are passionate about it," she says. “While criticism and being held to account isn't always a pleasant thing, equally it's a very positive thing for the direction of the game and that it's being taken really seriously."

The Hundred’s Impact

Perry highlights The Hundred's crucial role in developing young English talent.

“The Hundred has just been brilliant for the women's game over here, you can really feel that interest, and the standard is really high,” she says. “It’s definitely a skill which takes some time to develop [playing in front of bigger crowds] and it probably comes a bit more naturally to some players, but the exposure to that is so important."

Despite recent ownership changes, Perry believes The Hundred doesn't need radical alterations just yet: "We get asked the reverse question back home. It’s contextual – they work really well for The Hundred because of the time of year, the school holidays and the summer when people want to socialise and enjoy their day out watching. The grounds and facilities really support that. I'm sure with new ownership things will continue to evolve, but at this point I don't think it needs to change.”