Women’s Ashes: Ellyse Perry back to top of the rankings after Aussie ODI masterclass

Ellyse Perry has returned to her blistering white-ball best and now the Aussie all-rounder has an accolade to prove it.

Ellyse Perry is back to her white-ball best. Picture: Jonathan DiMaggio/Getty Images

Ellyse Perry has silenced critics of her white-ball form by putting her T20I rejection behind her and returning to the top of the ODI all-rounder rankings.

Dropped for the T20Is in the multi-format Women’s Ashes and wicketless in ODIs for more than two years before the series began, Perry looked to be in a white-ball slump heading into next month’s Women’s ODI World Cup.

Perry slipped to number two in the ICC women’s all-rounder rankings following Australia’s series against India late last year but has regained top spot off the back of strong performances in the ODIs against England.

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For claiming three scalps with the ball and topscoring with 40 runs in the second ODI, Perry was named player of the match as Australia ran away to a five-wicket win that sealed a series victory.

The 31-year-old also took one wicket and recorded an unbeaten 31 runs in the third ODI on Tuesday.

On Wednesday (AEDT), it was confirmed that Perry had knocked Englishwoman Nat Sciver out of top spot in the all-rounder rankings and had also risen to ninth spot in the ODI bowling stakes.

Perry’s reclamation of top spot means that an Aussie woman is atop the ODI bowling, batting and all-rounder rankings.

Ellyse Perry helped Australia keep a clean sheet in the Ashes ODIs. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

For their roles in the Ashes series win, Aussies Jess Jonassen and Ash Gardner have both risen two spots in the ODI all-rounder rankings, while Alyssa Healy has retained top spot in the ODI batting rankings.

On Monday, Healy said Perry’s return to form would be “concerning” for Australia’s World Cup rivals.

“It was great to see her at her best,” the wicketkeeper-batter said.

“It’s really exciting signs for us leading into a big world tournament that she’s sort of hit her straps right at the right time.

“It’s obviously probably a bit of a concern for other sides around the world.”

Aussie Women’s coach Matthew Mott said he was pleased for Perry.

“A lot was made of Ellyse Perry’s form before this tournament, she came out and contributed very strongly in the last few games,” he said after the final match of the Ashes.

“That’ll give her a lot of confidence.”