Ellyse Perry is an acclaimed Australian sportswoman who has represented her country in cricket and association football. She debuted for both the national cricket team and the national soccer team at the age of 16, becoming the youngest Australian to play international cricket and the first to have appeared in both ICC and FIFA World Cups. In 2014, she became a single-sport professional athlete opting for cricket. She is an all-rounder with mastery of both batting and fast bowling disciplines. She was the first player to amass a combined 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is. She holds the record for the highest score by an Australian woman, 213 not out, in Test matches. Her contribution to various successful teams at international and domestic levels across cricket’s primary formats has led Australia to win seven world championships, New South Wales to win eleven WNCL championships, and Sydney Sixers to win two WBBL championships.
Wiki/Biography
Ellyse Alexandra Perry was born on Saturday, 3 November 1990 (age 32 years; as of 2023) in Sydney, a suburb of Wahroonga, Australia. Her zodiac sign is Scorpio. In Sydney, she attended Beecroft Primary School and Pymble Ladies’ College. She was the Sports, Athletics, and Cricket Captain at Pymble. Athletic since childhood, she played multiple sports during her school days besides cricket and soccer, like tennis, athletics, touch football and golf. Growing up on the north shore of Sydney, Perry and her brother, Damian, would play in the bushes behind their house, climbing up and jumping off the trees. Talking about it in an interview, she said,
My brother, Dee, and I would just disappear into there. That was our wonderland. There was nothing particularly wonderful about it – trees and dirt tracks. We were free to make it whatever we wanted. Our place for adventures…We climbed a lot of trees. Rode a lot of bikes. Threw a lot of rocks. Played hide-and-seek in the bush. Built cubby-houses.
A childhood picture of Ellyse Perry with her brother, Damian, and a friend
After securing her Higher School Certificate (HSC) in 2008, Perry started studying Economic and Social Sciences at the University of Sydney. In 2019, she decided to relocate to Melbourne following her husband’s move to play Super Rugby for the Melbourne Rebels.
Physical Appearance
Height: 5′ 9 1⁄2 ”
Hair Colour: Blonde
Eye Colour: Dark Grey
Body Measurements (approx.): 32-28-34
Family
Parents & Siblings
Ellyse Perry’s father, Mark Perry, is a retired maths teacher, an amateur football coach. Her mother, Kathy Perry, is a General practitioner and has her own practice, which Mark has managed after he retired from teaching. Her brother’s name is Damien Perry.
Ellyse Perry with her parents
Ellyse Perry and her brother, Damien
Husband & Children
On 20 December 2015, Ellyse Perry got married to Matt To’omua, an Australian rugby union professional player. The couple separated in 2020.
Ellyse Perry and Matt To’omua on their wedding day
Relationships/Affairs
Ellyse Perry and Matt To’omua’s relationship went public on 24 October 2013 when they appeared together at the John Eales Medal ceremony.
Ellyse Perry and Matt To’omua
Signature/Autograph
Ellyse Perry’s autograph
Career
Cricket
Domestic
In January 2007, at 16, Perry played for New South Wales in an under-19 interstate tournament in which she scored 74 runs and took three wickets in three matches. Perry made her debut for New South Wales in a match against South Australia in the Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) at the start of the 2007–08 season in which she took 2 for 29 from ten overs leading to a seven-wicket win. In the following seasons, Perry went on to win ten more WNCL championships with New South Wales.
Ellyse Perry bowling for NSW during the WT20 match against Victoria at Blacktown International Sportspark on 8 November 2013 in Sydney, Australia
In 2019, after relocating to Melbourne with her husband, Perry signed with WNCL team Victoria. Perry first played for Victoria on 7 January 2020 against Western Australia at the Junction Oval, where she made 24 runs and took 1-20 from seven overs. She earned her first Player of the Match award in Victorian colours on 23 January 2020, claiming figures of 3/17 in a two-run win (via the DLS method) against Tasmania. Perry captained Victoria for their opening two matches of the 2021–22 Women’s National Cricket League season in the absence of Meg Lanning. Ellyse Perry batting for team Victoria
Ellyse Perry playing for Victoria
She captained Sydney Sixers in the inaugural Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL). She led the Sydney Sixers to victory during WBBL|02 and WBBL|03.
International
After she represented New South Wales in U-19 interstate tournament in January 2007, she was selected in the Australian youth team for a tour of New Zealand. By July 2007, she was fast-tracked into the Australian team for a series against New Zealand. Interestingly, she had never played a match at the senior level until then. On 22 July 2007, she made her ODI debut against New Zealand at Gardens Oval, Darwin in Australia. At 16, she became the youngest-ever cricketer to represent Australia. In the match, she took 2 wickets for 37 runs from eight overs First, she bowled Maria Fahey for 11 runs, and then, she bat down the order at nine, making 19 runs from 20 balls. Australia lost the match by 35 runs. On 1 February 2008, she made her T20I debut against England during the England Women tour of Australia and New Zealand 2007/08 at Melbourne Cricket Ground. Australia won the match by 21 runs, and the all-rounder confirmed herself as a star of the future by smacking 29 not out from 25 balls, taking 4/20, and pulling off a brilliant run out.
Ellyse Perry celebrating at a wicket during her debut T20I match against England in 2008
On 15 February 2008, she made her test debut in a match against England Women at Bradman Oval, Bowral in Australia during the England Women tour of Australia and New Zealand. Debuting at the age of 17 years and 3 months, Perry became the youngest-ever Australian Test cricketer. England won by 6 wickets. Thereafter, she was named to the Australian squad for the 2009 Women’s Cricket World Cup held in Australia. In the world cup, she became the Player of the match in a match against West Indies in which she scored 36 and took 2/28 from ten overs. Australia did not qualify for the final. In the same year, Perry was named to Australia’s squad for the inaugural Women’s World Twenty20. Australia was defeated by the host nation England in the semi-finals. She took her first five-wicket haul during the Rose Bowl series (2009–10). In the series, she took a total of 13 wickets.
Ellyse Perry with the Rose Bowl
Australia emerged as a winner of the 2010 ICC Women’s World Twenty20. In the finals against New Zealand, Perry earned the title of Player of the Match for picking 3 wickets for 18 runs. The only test match played during the English women’s tour of Australia in early 2011 was won by Australia. Perry claimed 4 wickets for 56 runs in the first innings, helping Australia in a seven-wicket victory to snatch the trophy out of English hands for the first time in six years. Perry delivered a Player of the Match performance at the 2012 World Twenty20 in Sri Lanka. Australia had a 28-run semi-final win against the West Indies in which Perry claimed crucial top-order wickets of Stafanie Taylor and Deandra Dottin to finish with figures of 2/19 off four overs. Perry missed three matches due to an ankle injury during the 2013 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup in India. In the final against the West Indies, she bowled her full allotment of ten overs and took 3/19 to help Australia win by 114 runs. Although the only test match played during the English women’s tour of Australia in 2013–14 was won by England, Perry was named Player of the Match. During the 3rd ODI of the tour, Ellyse Perry finished unbeaten on 90 as she steered her team across the line by four wickets with three balls remaining. The structure of the points system led Perry to secure the title of Player of the Series, although England regained the Ashes. At the 2014 ICC Women’s World Twenty20, Perry earned the title of Player of the Match against South Africa for scoring 41 not out of 29 balls in a six-wicket victory. Australia won the competition for the third time straight defeating England in the final. In the match on 21 July 2015, during the Australian women’s tour of England and Ireland, she passed the milestone of 1,000 runs in ODI cricket, becoming the Player of the series. Australia suffered a shock upset loss in each of the 2016 World Twenty20 and 2017 Cricket World Cup tournaments. During the 2017–18 Women’s Ashes, she played a historic innings of double century, 213 not out, while no other teammate managed to score more than 47. This was her first international century, which set a new record for the highest score by an Australian in women’s Tests. However, it was not enough to carry the team to victory as the match ended in a draw.
Ellyse Perry after her epic Ashes Test double-century during 2017–18 Women’s Ashes
She became the first cricketer, male or female, for Australia to play in 100 T20Is during the 2018 ICC Women’s World Twenty20. Australia won the tournament for the fourth time. On 7 July 2019, she finished with figures of seven wickets for 22 runs at the St Lawrence Ground, the best by an Australian in women’s ODIs.
Ellyse Perry celebrating the wicket of Danni Wyatt at St Lawrence Ground, Canterbury
On 19 July 2019, she set a new record for the most runs scored between dismissals in women’s Test cricket with 329 runs in the first innings of the Test match at the County Ground. On 28 July 2019, she became the first player to achieve the all-round feat of 1,000 runs and 100 wickets in T20Is. Perry was named in Australia’s squad for the 2020 T20 World Cup, which was won by Australia for the fifth time although Perry suffered a torn hamstring during the tournament. She underwent surgery and returned to international cricket on 28 March 2021 in a T20I against New Zealand. In the one-off Test match against India in October 2021, she became the first woman to score 5,000 runs and take 300 wickets in international cricket. In 2021, she became Australia’s most-capped women’s international cricketer, appearing in her 252nd match, a T20I against India. During the 2022 Women’s Cricket World Cup, Perry claimed back-to-back Player of the Match awards in the group stage of the tournament. However, she suffered from back spasms towards the back end of the tournament, and consequently, she missed two games, including the semi-final. Perry was deemed fit to play in the final against England; Australia won the title for the seventh time.
Australia women’s national cricket team after winning the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup for the seventh time
Women’s Cricket Super League
In 2016, Perry was signed by Loughborough Lightning for the inaugural season of the Women’s Cricket Super League in England. In the semi-final, Loughborough Lightning lost to the Western Storm. Perry returned for the Lightning the following season, earning Player of the Match honours in the team’s only two wins. Perry was again signed by Loughborough Lightning for the following season in which she earned Player of the Match honours in the team’s only two wins.
Ellyse Perry as player of Loughborough Lightning, leaping to her right in vain to stop the ball in a match against Yorkshire Diamonds during Women’s Cricket Super League (2016)
Women’s T20 Challenge
Perry played for the Supernovas in the inaugural Women’s T20 Challenge, a women’s Twenty20 cricket match which took place on 22 May 2018. Supernovas won the match by 3 wickets.
Ellyse Perry during Women’s T20 Challenge with other players of Supernovas
The Hundred
She represented Birmingham Phoenix in the 2022 season of The Hundred. She won the title of Player of the match during a match againstWelsh Fire.
Ellyse Perry after winning the title of Player of the match on 13 August 2022 in a match against Welsh Fire
Women’s Premier League
Perry was bought by Royal Challengers Bangalore for the inaugural season of the Women’s Premier League in 2023 at the price of 1.7 Crores.
Football
Domestic
She played for the Central Coast Mariners in the 2008–09 W-League making her debut for the club against Queensland Roar on 15 November 2008. She began playing for Canberra United at the start of the 2009 W-League season. She was the joint recipient of the 2009 W-League Young Player of the Year award, along with Elise Kellond-Knight of the Brisbane Roar team. Apart from that, she also secured three Canberra United awards for the season, the Players’, Supporters,’ and overall Club Player of the Year.
Ellyse Perry in action for Canberra United at Adamstown Oval in 2011
After she was given an ultimatum by Canberra United to either quit cricket or find another W-League club, she joined Sydney FC for the 2012–13 season of W-League.
Ellyse Perry playing club football for Sydney FC in the W-League, 2015
International
On 4 August 2007, Perry played her first match for the Australian national soccer team against Hong Kong as a defender at the Hong Kong Stadium during the 2008 Olympics qualifying. At the time, he was 16 years and 9 months old, having made her international cricket debut less than two weeks earlier. She stirred a storm of hype by scoring a goal in the second minute of the match. Perry scored three international goals during her football career.
Ellyse Perry playing soccer for Australia
Apart from her goal against Sweden and Hong Kong, she scored a goal against South Korea during the 2008 AFC Women’s Asian Cup. Perry was named to the Australia women’s national soccer team for the 2011 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Germany. Perry scored Australia’s only goal in its 3–1 loss against Sweden during the quarter-final.
Perry celebrating her spectacular goal at the Fifa women’s world cup (2011)
Sydney FC competed at the 2013 International Women’s Club Championship in which they defeated NTV Beleza 1–0 but lost by 3–2 to Chelsea.
Others
She hosted the show Football Stars of Tomorrow in 2010 on One HD. In 2011, she was a recurring guest on the Triple J radio breakfast show with Tom Ballard and Alex Dyson to present her segment Perry Good Sportswoman. From 2016 to 2017, she authored a series of children’s books with Sherryl Clark, titled Pocket Rocket, Magic Feet, Winning Touch, and Double Time. The book series narrated the story of a young sport-loving girl transitioning from primary school to high school. On 4 November 2019, her first non-fiction book titled Perspective was released through HarperCollins.
Awards, Honours, Achievements
Cricket
Team
- 2× Women’s Cricket World Cup champion: 2013, 2022
- 5× ICC Women’s World Twenty20 champion: 2010, 2012, 2014, 2018, 2020
- Commonwealth Games champion: 2022
- 11× Women’s National Cricket League champion: 2007–08, 2008–09, 2009–10, 2010–11, 2011–12, 2012–13, 2013–14, 2014–15, 2016–17, 2017–18, 2018–19
- 2× Women’s Big Bash League champion: 2016–17, 2017–18
- 2× Australian Women’s Twenty20 Cup champion: 2012–13, 2014–15
Individual
- 3× Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award winner: 2017, 2019, 2020
- ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Year: 2019
- ICC Women’s ODI Cricketer of the Decade: 2011–2020
- ICC Women’s T20I Cricketer of the Decade: 2011–2020
- 2× Wisden Leading Woman Cricketer in the World: 2016, 2019
- ICC Women’s World Twenty20 Player of the Final: 2010
- 3× Women’s Ashes Player of the Series: 2013–14, 2015, 2019
- 3× Belinda Clark Award winner: 2016, 2018, 2020
- Women’s National Cricket League Player of the Tournament: 2015–16
- Women’s National Cricket League Player of the Final: 2008–09
- 3× Belinda Clark Medal[b] winner: 2015–16, 2017–18, 2018–19
- Cricket NSW Rising Star: 2007–08
- Women’s Big Bash League Player of the Tournament: 2018–19
- 2× Sydney Sixers Player of the Season: 2017–18, 2018–19
- Named as one of the Wisden Five Cricketers of the Decade: 2010–19
- Sport NSW Athlete of the Year: 2019
- Australia Post Legend of Cricket: 2021
Football
Team
- W-League premiership: 2011–12
Individual
- W-League Young Player of the Year: 2009
- Canberra United Player of the Year: 2009
Favourites
- Cricketer: Michael Hussey, Michael Holding, Alan Davidson
- Dessert: Acai berry ice cream
Facts/Trivia
- She grew up playing cricket with Alyssa Healy, who later became her teammate in Australia women’s national cricket team. The two became friends when Perry was nine.
- Healy occasionally referred to Perry as Dags due to the ill-fitting uniform that she wore at the junior level. Perry is also known by the nickname Pez.
- The apparent pain of Perry’s ankle injury through which she performed during the 2013 ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup earned her the moniker of “Australia’s limping hero.” She was applauded for showing an unbreakable spirit through adversity. Later, she underwent surgery to repair a fractured ankle.
- When BCCI add another team for the 2019 edition of the Women’s T20 Challenge, Perry had hoped to participate in the event. However, due to a breakdown in communications between Cricket Australia and the BCCI, all Australian players were excluded from the tournament. Cricket Australia eventually issue a public apology to Perry and the other affected players for mishandling the situation, but Perry had no beef with her nation’s board, and she voiced support for it.
- The Birmingham Phoenix announced the signing of Perry for the inaugural season of the Hundred. However, she withdrew from the tournament two weeks before its commencement, citing personal reasons.
- She is a self-described coffee aficionado and co-owns several cafés with her husband.
- She supports various philanthropic causes including the McGrath Foundation, the Sporting Chance Cancer Foundation, and the LBW (Learning for a Better World) Trust.
- Facebook Watch premiered a seven-part short-form documentary series titled Insight (2019), which provided a behind-the-scenes glimpse into Perry’s life.
- She has been featured in a slew of high profile endorsements, including Adidas, Fox Sports, CommBank and Weet-Bix.
- She is a non-vegetarian.
- Ellyse Perry’s jersey number for Australia women’s national cricket team is #8
Categories: Biography
Source: HIS Education