Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
The world has changed a lot over the past 20 summers, but the one constant has been Ellyse Perry dominating in the middle for Australia.
John Howard was still Australia’s prime minister when Perry made her international debut in an ODI against New Zealand in 2007.
The nation has had seven leaders since then – including Kevin Rudd twice – with Perry continuing to score runs and take wickets along the way.
Players can get left behind in a sport that seemingly evolves every season, but Perry’s ability and willingness to adapt is why she remains at the top of her game.
“I just think the theme is evolve. She’s evolved with the game but also kind of pioneered for the game,” Aussie teammate Phoebe Litchfield said.
“I feel like she has stayed ahead of it, continued to get better, and never stops. She’s got a drive that inspires all of us and most of the younger generation as well. It’s pretty cool to be witnessing that first hand but also to grow up aspiring to be that.”
Perry was there when the WBBL began more than a decade ago, and she’ll suit up once more on Friday when the Sydney Sixers open their campaign against the Brisbane Heat.
She enters as the second-leading run scorer in tournament history with 5101, while she’s also chipped in with 72 wickets in 144 appearances in magenta.
Perry is still a leading figure on the world stage and has two half centuries in her three most recent games for Australia.
So what’s fuelling the hunger that has been there since she was 16 and starring for Australia in both cricket and football?
“I think it’s really easy to be a part of a sport that year on year gets bigger and more exciting,” said Perry, who was the inaugural Sixers signing in 2015.
“I think this era of women’s sport in general too has been an absolute privilege to be a part of, and the opportunities that are available to every young cricketer coming through, male or female these days, is so cool.
“To be a part of that still is super motivating. I’ve got some amazing teammates and coaches and support staff and just a wonderful environment to be a part of, so I feel very fortunate to still be playing.”
Sixers skipper Ash Gardner has been there almost every step of the way for Perry’s career.
“There have certainly been parts to her game that have changed, but something that has stayed really consistent is how professional she is,” she said.
“Just the way she approaches her training is incredible. There are not many people around the world who could have a 20-year career and not look like retiring anytime soon.
“That is a credit to the hard work she puts in, whether that is the mental or physical side of the game and the way she recovers. She does everything meticulously to make sure her body is in the right shape to perform, and she has confidence in that.
“She is a creature of habit at times, but the way she goes about her cricket is second to none, and that is why she has had such a long and successful career.”
Women’s cricket continues to grow on the world stage, but the WBBL remains the premier T20 competition.
“I think most certainly from a talent and depth point of view and just how close the competition is every year, we’re so fortunate to have that,” Perry said.
“And I think that’s been built on 11 years of growth and development across the board in Australian cricket. I think it’s such a positive thing that there is competition from other leagues around the world.
“Everyone wants the women’s game to continue to grow in lots of different facets, not just on the field but off the field as well.
“And I think going forward in the next few years for the WBBL, that’s a real ambition and goal for us to make sure that this league becomes even bigger.”
Perry will be 36 in a few days but is showing no signs of slowing down.
There’s nothing left for her to achieve after 20 summers of excellence, so what exactly is motivating her?
“It’s not mine to pass on (to the younger generation) but I think I just like to be a better version than what I am today,” she said.
“That’s a challenge every day that’s really fun to take on and you learn lots as you go. So hopefully whenever I finish playing I can be a better player than what I was when I started.”
