Ellyse Perry named in Australia squad for limited-overs series against New Zealand

Ellyse Perry the star all-rounder from Australia missed the semi-final and final of the T20 World Cup earlier this year. The tournament was organized down under itself and the Aussies won the mega event by beating India in the final. However, Perry, one of the most popular women’s cricketer, will be back as she has been named in Australia’s 18-member squad for the T20I and ODI series against New Zealand.

Perry, who will come back to action after six long months, will be under observation. Her fitness will be examined ahead of the games. Maitlan Brown from Australian Capital Territory, who is also a member of the Melbourne Renegades, has earned her first call-up to a national squad while Belinda Vakarewa has also been included.

“Ellyse is progressing well from a significant hamstring injury and we want to give her every chance to be available for selection, so we will continue to monitor her progress over the coming weeks,” National Selector Shawn Flegler said in a statement.

Aussies will be defending the Rose Bowl trophy

The neighbouring countries will play three ODIs and three T20 Internationals and the Rose Bowl trophy will be presented to the winner of the ODI series. Aussies, the home team is the current holder of the coveted trophy as they defeated the Kiwis last year.

“We’ve selected a slightly larger squad than usual because of a number of COVID-related considerations and, with no matches leading in, players have been picked on performances both for Australia and Australia A over the last 12-to-24 months,” Flegler added.

Speedster Tayla Vlaeminck will be sitting out of the home series due to a foot injury that forced her to miss the T20 World Cup as well. Speaking about the pacer, Flegler said that the Australian board will support her and will give her adequate time to recover from the injury.

“Tayla has had a slight setback in her return from the foot injury she suffered ahead of the T20 World Cup which means she’ll miss this series as well as this season’s rebel WBBL tournament. Our initial plans were to get her back for the 50-over World Cup in New Zealand but now that’s been postponed we’ll take a conservative approach with her and give her as much time as she needs to get her body right without the pressure of a time frame,” he said.

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (capt), Rachael Haynes (vice-capt), Maitlan Brown, Erin Burns, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Tahlia McGrath, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry (subject to fitness), Megan Schutt, Molly Strano, Annabel Sutherland, Georgia Wareham, Belinda Vakarewa.