Margin of Women’s Ashes advantage is a surprise, admits Ellyse Perry

NICK FRIEND AT HOVE: During her unbeaten 47, Perry became the first cricketer – male or female – to pass 1,000 international T20 runs and 100 wickets in the format

Ellyse Perry admitted that the one-sided nature of the scoreline in the Women’s Ashes series had surprised her after Australia went 12-2 up in the multi-format contest.

The allrounder was speaking after her unbeaten 47 led her side to a straightforward seven-wicket victory, an innings during which she reached yet another landmark.

She became the first cricketer – male or female – to pass 1,000 international T20 runs and 100 wickets in the format.

Of Australia’s dominance, she said: “The way that we started with the three ODI wins, we were absolutely chuffed with that because England are a phenomenal side and have been dominant over the last five or six years.

“They’re world champions in the ODI format so to be in the position that we are with one game to go does surprise me a little bit.

“I guess it speaks volumes for how much our team has developed over the last six months and potentially how important our professional set up is back home.

“Not just the 15 girls here, the other 13 on the Australia A tour and the domestic players back home who are literally training all year round now. That’s been the case for a couple of years and I think it’s starting to really show up and pay dividends.”

Perry’s innings at Hove included four fours as well as a single six, while her unbroken stand with Meg Lanning was worth 87 runs as the experienced duo led their team to victory with 13 balls to spare.

It means that Australia have now won all five of the limited-over matches in this Women’s Ashes series ahead of the sixth and final encounter between the teams at Bristol on Wednesday.

Perry was quick to praise her captain, who followed up her stunning unbeaten 133 at Chelmsford on Friday with a calmer innings; Lanning finished 43 not out as Australia recovered from 30 for three.

“I thought the way that our bowlers probably set the game up to restrict England to 120 on what’s a pretty small ground and a fast outfield on not a bad wicket was an outstanding effort

“Delissa Kimmince was exceptional again and Jess Jonassen bowled really well and everyone backed that up. I thought that was brilliant.

“And then, obviously the way that Meg took control when she came out was really pleasing. I just think we’re playing some really experienced and mature cricket, and that’s giving us a really great advantage.”

To celebrate England winning the World Cup you can subscribe to The Cricketer for just £20.19. Click here to learn more