When Barty takes the Sherrin out, it’s game on

Australia are banking on world No 1 Ash Barty to deliver again in the Fed Cup final against France this weekend in Perth.

Fed Cup team members Sam Stosur, Astra Sharma, Priscilla Hon and Ash Barty warm up at Perth Arena with a Sherrin

Australia are banking on world No 1 Ash Barty to deliver again in the Fed Cup final against France this weekend in Perth.

The 23-year-old turned to an old routine in Western Australia on Wednesday as the Australians prepare for the two-day tie starting on Saturday at Perth Arena.

As she warmed up with her teammates, a Sherrin was introduced to their practice session.

Sam Stosur, Priscilla Hon, Astra Sharma and Barty handballed the football back and forth over the net in an engaging rally of a different sort.

It scarcely surprises that Barty, a regular golfer who also showed significant promise as a cricketer, was the most technically correct handballer of the group.

There is a precedent for Barty, who is a passionate Richmond fan and friend of Tigers skipper Trent Cotchin.

Before her appearance in the US Open doubles final in New York in 2018, “Team Barty” booted a footy around an outside court at Flushing Meadows in the lead-in to the decider.

The Australian went on to win her maiden grand slam title alongside Coco Vandeweghe and she has barely taken a backwards step in the 14 months since.

Shortly before stepping out for the final of the WTA Championships last Sunday against Elina Svitolina, footage emerged of the Australian superstar playing cricket with her team.

Using one stump as a bat, Barty got down onto a knee to execute a cover drive. Hours later she collected $6.4 million — the biggest purse ever awarded in tennis.

It is the type of activity that can freshen the mind and Barty said on Wednesday that she is eager for the opportunity to lead Australia in the Fed Cup final.

“When you are playing for your country and you are playing in a Fed Cup final, it is pretty easy to get up and about and be as ready as you can,” she said.

Barty is on a 14-match winning streak for Australia in Fed Cup rubbers and is the first woman in history to contribute to every point required for a team to reach a decider.

The Australians are seeking to win the competition for the first time since 1974 and for the eighth time in total against the French team blessed with good depth.

Caroline Garcia and Kiki Mladenovic, who defeated Barty this year in Rome, are former top 10 ranked players while Alize Cornet, who has performed well in Perth during Hopman Cups, peaked at No 11.

“We are playing a world class team which has proven time and time again that they are a nation that has dominated,” Barty said.

The French have a variety of options that can be used in doubles, with Fiona Ferro and Pauline Parmentier also in consideration.

Mladenovic claimed the season-ending doubles championships with partner Timea Babos in China last weekend, with the combination toppling Stosur and her partner Zhang Shuai in the semi-finals.

French captain Julien Benneteau said the depth gave him some confidence despite the excellent season Barty has enjoyed.

“When you play a Fed Cup final with the No 1 in the world on the other side, and away, you cannot say that you have an advantage,” he said.

“But for sure … I have had a lot of options for singles and doubles. For us, (that) is an advantage because you never know what can happen on Saturday in the first two singles.

“It can be very hard physically and mentally, and then Sunday (is) a huge day with two singles and one doubles, so (we have) a lot of options for sure.”