Ellyse Perry set to return to International Cricket

Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry is set to make a comeback to International Cricket after 6 months, having picked up a hamstring injury in the Women’s T20 World Cup in Australia earlier this year.

T20 World champions Australia have named an 18-woman squad for their ODI and T20I series against Trans-Tasman rivals New Zealand, their first fixtures since they won the T20 World Cup. Although Perry is available for selection, her inclusion to the squad will be subject to fitness, according to a release from Cricket Australia.

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Fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck, who suffered a stress fracture to her foot in the T20 World Cup, is yet to recover from her injury. Molly Strano, who replaced her in the tournament, has been retained to the squad. Middle-order batswoman Erin Burns also keeps her place in the side. Melbourne Renegades pacer Maitlan Brown has earned a maiden call-up to the national squad.

The T20 World Cup ended in tears for Ellyse Perry, which eventually turned to elation after Australia secured their 5th Women’s T20 WC title

Shawn Flegler, selector, said, “While there’s a host of experienced players in the squad, we’ve kept a strong view on the future and it’s really exciting to see so many younger players putting their hands up for national selection .”

Flegler said the following about Perry, “Ellyse is progressing well from a significant hamstring injury and we want to give her every chance to be available for selection, so we’ll continue to monitor her progress over the coming weeks.”

However, the team is keen not to rush Vlaeminck back, especially now that the 50-over World Cup has been postponed from February 2020 to the following year. The youngster was also ruled out of featuring in this year’s Women’s Big Bash League.

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Team physiotherapist Kate Beerworth explained, “Tayla had a recurrence of right medial ankle pain three weeks ago as she was working through her rehab from the navicular stress fracture she sustained in February. Her recovery has been trending in right direction but it’s just not going to be soon enough for the demands on international cricket and a busy Big Bash schedule.”

As part of the Rose Bowl series, Australia will be playing 3 One Day Internationals, and 3 T20Is against New Zealand in September.

Squad:

Meg Lanning (c)

Rachael Haynes (vc)

Maitlan Brown

Erin Burns

Nicola Carey

Ashleigh Gardner

Alyssa Healy

Jess Jonassen

Delissa Kimmince

Tahlia McGrath

Sophie Molineux

Beth Mooney

Ellyse Perry

Megan Schutt

Molly Strano

Annabel Sutherland

Georgia Wareham

Belinda Vakarewa