Ellyse Perry fighting for spot in Australian XI ahead of Commonwealth Games campaign

The Australian cricket team is about to embark on a Commonwealth Games campaign, but don’t expect Ellyse Perry to make an appearance.

Ellyse Perry of Australia. Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images

The Australian women’s cricket team is about to embark on its maiden Commonwealth Games campaign, but barring injury, it’s unlikely that superstar all-rounder Ellyse Perry will make an appearance.

The 31-year-old remains one of Australian cricket’s most celebrated figures, cementing her status as a modern great of the sport over an illustrious 15-year international career.

But following a concerning form slump in the game’s shortest format, Perry was axed from the national T20 side during last summer’s Ashes series.

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The scoring rate in women’s T20 cricket has skyrocketed over the past decade, but unlike many of her teammates, Perry’s batting strike rate has plateaued at domestic and international level.

Meanwhile, her bowling has seemingly lost its menace since she suffered a hamstring injury during the unforgettable T20 World Cup campaign in 2020.

Perry subsequently lost her spot in the national T20 side to South Australian all-rounder Tahlia McGrath, who made herself indispensable last summer with a cluster of superb performances across all formats.

Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Australian captain Meg Lanning confirmed that Perry would only be selected for the Commonwealth Games as a specialist batter due to a lingering back stress fracture, meaning she could struggle to force her way back into the starting XI.

Lanning will presumably be accompanied in the middle order by Rachael Haynes, Ash Gardner and McGrath, leaving little wriggle room for Perry in the first-choice team.

“It’s a slightly different role I guess for her for what she can normally play in our team,” Lanning said following the team’s arrival in Ireland.

“Think if she was to get an opportunity, she’s been in the middle order for us. We are pretty flexible with what that looks like, so any player within that can come in at any point. She would fit somewhere in there.

“There’s many players who could come in and play a role and she’s certainly one of those. Looks a bit different for her this tour, but I’m sure she’ll handle it well.”

Ellyse Perry of Australia. Photo by Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Ahead of the Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Australia will face Ireland and Pakistan in a four-match T20 tri-series that will help Lanning and her teammates readjust to the 20-over format.

Australia has only played three T20Is since April 2021, with several fixtures abandoned due to Covid-19 and weather.

Perry could make an appearance during the tri-series as Australia rotates its squad before the Commonwealth Games tournament gets underway on Friday, July 29.

“It’s about trying to find our groove a little in the format, we haven’t played a lot of it over the last 12 months so an important period coming up,” Lanning explained.

“Playing against Ireland and Pakistan, we don’t know a lot about Ireland, we haven’t played them for a little while, but it’s exciting to be able to come over here and play them. Pakistan are a dangerous team and have some really skilful players.”

Earlier this week, veteran spinner Jess Jonassen tested positive for Covid-19 and will miss the first two matches against Ireland and Pakistan.

The frustrating setback, however, opens the door for either Amanda-Jade Wellington or Grace Harris to make their long-awaited return to the Australian T20 side.

Harris was selected for two rain-affected T20Is against England in January, but was not required with bat or ball.

“We’ve got some really good all-round options as well in the pace department, so it comes down to what we feel will fit best,” Lanning said.

“While it might look a little different to how we normally line up bowler-wise in a T20, I think we’ve got some good options.

“It does give someone else an opportunity. (Jonassen) is a very important part of our team and bowls at all times throughout an innings. That’s something we’ve done really well over the last few years, someone else coming in and taking their chance.

“Things can pop up really quickly so we are just being really flexible and understanding of the situation.

“Hopefully that means that we can get through unscathed.”

Australian captain Meg Lanning. Photo by Phil Walter/Getty Images

Meanwhile, the International Cricket Council has formed a working party to bid for the sport’s inclusion at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, which Lanning believes is a logical next step for the game.

“Cricket in the Olympics would be amazing. Especially for the game as well, to reach a new audience,” Lanning told BBC Sport.

“It would allow different people to see the game and would really help the growth of it in other countries around the world and particularly for women.

“I‘m not really sure what it takes to get it into the Olympics, but from the perspective of players, it would be amazing. It‘s something I’d love to do, but I think if it was going to happen, it will probably be once I’ve finished up playing.”

Australia will face Pakistan at Bready Cricket Club in Northern Ireland on Sunday morning AEST, with the first ball scheduled for 1am.

— with NCA NewsWire