Source :- PERTH NOW NEWS
Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry is winning her battle for fitness and is set to take her place in the Women’s T20 World Cup final against hosts England.
Perry appears on track to be available despite retiring hurt in Tuesday’s semi-final win over West Indies with a quad issue.
She had several sprinting drills in Friday’s training session and had a lengthy bat in the nets.
Coach Shelley Nitschke suggested on Thursday that Perry, widely regarded as one of the greatest female cricketers ever, could feature even if she is less than 100 per cent fit.
Australia team-mate Phoebe Litchfield said on Friday: “Pez is great. She’s prepping really well and she’s the ultimate professional.
“She had a a total wellness day yesterday, apparently, just getting everything right. The body’s a temple for Pez, so it’s nice to see her back around the group today and moving really well.
“As you can all imagine, she wants to be out there on Sunday and is doing everything in her ability to do that, which is the true professional that she is.”
Australia will be red-hot favourites to regain the crown they lost in the United Arab Emirates in 2024 in Sunday’s (Monday AEST) final at Lord’s. They are chasing their seventh world T20 crown.
England are hoping to draw inspiration from memories of 2017, when won their last global trophy by beating India in the final of the 50-over World Cup in front of a sold-out crowd at the home of cricket.
Heather Knight, captain that day and who played a starring role in Thursday’s semi-final defeat of South Africa, said: “I think we’ll draw on (2017) a little bit.”
Knight knows the Aussies are widely fancied to win another final but insists the Lord’s effect could also boost her team.
She said: “I like playing in finals there. They’re good fun. Playing at Lord’s is always very special. It’s a place I really enjoy.
“It’s going to be a big day and hopefully we can deal with the big occasion and really just try and enjoy it. We’ll just try and bring our best and hopefully bring that trophy home.”
A capacity crowd is expected at Lord’s, taking the total attendance for the tournament to around 250,000, largely justifying the decision to hold matches at England’s bigger grounds.
