Ellyse Perry has 24 hours to prove her fitness for World Cup semi-final

Australian superstar Ellyse Perry has given an update on the back injury that forced her out of the final World Cup group match.

Ellyse Perry may not bowl if fir for the semi-final. Picture: Marty Melville / AFP

Ellyse Perry says there’s a “high percentage” she’ll overcome a first bout of back spasms to play in Australia’s World Cup semi-final on Wednesday but has to train first.

The superstar all-rounder hasn’t done anything “cricket-wise” since she left the field after bowling just three overs against South Africa on March 22.

Perry, who won back-to-back player of the match awards before the sudden onset of spasms, said a call would be made in the next 24 hours on whether she could take the field against the West Indies in Wellington.

“I haven’t done anything cricket-wise in the last week,” Perry said on Monday morning ahead of her return to training in the afternoon.

“I need to do some cricket … batting especially, moving around in the field over the next couple of days, potentially bowling if that all goes well.

“We deliberately held off doing anything just to give it a chance to settle as best as it possibly can.

“It’s been one of those things where each day we have assessed it and it has definitely been improving. We’ll keep playing that be ear but bearing in mind we’ll need to make a decision in the next day or so.

“I don’t think it’s anything hugely serious. There’s a pretty high percentage I’ll be able to play at some point.”

Ellyse Perry could play as a batter only in the World Cup semi-final. Picture: David Rowland / AFP

Perry missed Australia’s T20 World Cup triumph in 2020 after suffering a serious hamstring injury during the tournament and was desperate not to miss the finals this time around.

“But that’s not unique to me. The whole team is really excited,” she said.

‘This tournament has been coming for a little while, with the delay last year … and we’ve been here for quite a while with the quarantine we had to do when we arrived.

“This is the reason we play, to compete in big events and big moments.”

Perry has won two player of the match awards at the World Cup. Picture: Mark Tantrum/Getty Images

Perry said she would be happy to play as a batter only and is averaging 48 in the tournament so far.

“That’s very much up to the coaching staff and selectors. If I can contribute in a positive way and add to the team by being in it, absolutely, I’d just love to be a part of it,” she said.

“It’s not my call. I’ll do everything I can to be fit one way or another to take part.”

Perry said she wasn’t even considering skipping the semi-final to ensure she was 100 per cent for the final should Australia secure passage to the decider.

“I don’t think you can have that approach to World Cup semi-finals and finals. You have to play each game, which is the most important thing at the time, rather than casting your mind ahead to the next match and the final. The West Indies will be doing everything they can to get there.

“It’s the most important match for us, this Wednesday. You have to focus on the next game.”

Originally published as Ellyse Perry has 24 hours to prove her fitness for World Cup semi-final