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A reinvigorated and “matured” Ellyse Perry has declared she feels like she’s just starting out again in cricket, as Australia prepare for a genuine “step up” in competition in their T20 World Cup semi-final against South Africa.
The Aussies are two wins away from becoming the first team of either gender to win four straight T20 or ODI World Cup titles while the Proteas are seeking revenge on Thursday night (Friday AEDT) after losing the 2023 final.
Injuries to Alyssa Healy and Tayla Vlaeminck have soured Australia’s progress at the tournament but the unfortunate timing served as a reminder to the team after years of careful planning.
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“It’s certainly something we’ve spoken about, not just here but over the last couple of years, about how important it is for us to be adaptable to different circumstances,” Perry told 7NEWS.com.au ahead of the semi-final.
“I do think we’re really fortunate that we have a lot of depth in the squad and a huge amount of competition for places.”
That competition is so high that Perry spent more than a year out of the T20 squad in 2021-22 and, over the past 18 months, has largely become a pure batter in the shortest format.
But that is no suggestion the soon-to-be 34-year-old’s career is winding down towards an international exit and eventual retirement.
In fact, it is not simply that the team’s development and her changing role is motivating her to extend her legendary career.
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“I probably wouldn’t look at it in that lens,” Perry said.
“The way that the game’s changed so quickly, it’s just so engaging and invigorating to be part of it. In some respects I feel like I’m still starting out because there’s just lots to learn and and and opportunity to improve.
“Maybe I just haven’t really thought about it in any real terms about how long I’ve been involved in or when it’s time to stop because there’s just always something new to be challenged by.
“At the moment we’ve got these windows carved up for the biggest franchise competitions to fit in but undoubtedly the most special kind of talent are still at world events, Ashes series and bilateral series.
“So it’s nice at the moment — have your cake and eat it too.”
On a personal level Perry realises she now looks at things differently and contributes wider off the field, noting she is not the only veteran thriving in the “really collaborative” environment under coach Shelley Nitschke.
But such is the desire to motivate that within the Australian T20 squad, this World Cup becoming a legacy-enhancing fourth-straight triumph has not been a discussion point.
Perry is one of seven 2018 finalists to remain in the first-choice XI but a shift even from the 2023 decider has helped the team bill this tournament as a fresh challenge.
Annabel Sutherland has leapt into the team to take seven wickets behind long-time stars Megan Schutt (eight) and Sophie Molineux, who has seven of her own after bouncing back from missing the 2023 tournament through injury.
“Most nights we go out there with eight different bowling options and the core group of bowlers that have been bowling the majority of the overs in this tournament have been doing an amazing job,” Perry said.
“They’ve been probably the real difference for us. The consistency there is really key but everyone’s ready for whatever presents itself.”
The Nitschke era has also helped the team evolve, not least with Tahlia McGrath stepping up as a leader since Meg Lanning’s retirement.
“Every World Cup’s completely different — the context, circumstance, the teams that you take into that tournament too,” Perry said.
“I don’t actually think we’ve actually even mentioned that (four straight) as a goal or a motivating factor for this tournament.
“Our team’s actually been through a lot of change in the last couple of years — personnel, leadership, coaching staff.
“Probably the biggest thing that we’ve been focusing on is just redefining who we are as a squad and the style of cricket we want to play and how we want to be successful doing that.”
The T20 World Cup precedes a monster summer for the Aussies, who will play three-match ODI series against India (home) and New Zealand (away) in December before the all-important Ashes series against England in the new year.
Three ODIs and three T20s will kick off the blockbuster clash before the MCG’s first ever day-night Test match takes centre stage for the final battle.
The Ashes will be live and free on Seven and 7plus.
“I know how much time and effort’s been put into really making that series super successful and in particular the Test match at the end at the MCG,” Perry said.
“Hopefully we lead into that Test match and it’s a really tightly poised scenario and makes that game really crucial.
“But at the same time as a standalone event I think it’s going to be a huge match and a big occasion.”
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