Australia women’s cricket team have lost two key players in the ongoing ICC Women’s T20 World Cup tournament. Earlier, pacer Tayla Vlaeminck was ruled out of the tournament with a foot injury ahead of the start of the group stage. In the latest development, all-rounder Ellyse Perry has been ruled out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after picking up a hamstring injury.
Ellyse Perry, who is the No.1 all-rounder in women’s ODIs and T20Is will no longer swing her arms for the rest of the tournament as she sustained a hamstring injury during Australia’s final Group A game against New Zealand on Monday, March 2.
The incident took place during the 11th over of New Zealand’s run-chase when the all-rounder Perry pulled up after collecting and releasing at mid-off region and after which, she limped from the field with the assistance of support staff.
Ellyse Perry will be out for a significant time: Team doctor
Perry is expected to be out of action for a long period and is also set to miss Australia’s tour of South Africa which comes after the World Cup. Team doctor Pip Inge confirmed that Ellyse Perry picked up a high-grade right hamstring injury.
“Ellyse sustained a high-grade right hamstring injury that is expected to keep her out of the game for a significant period of time. We are currently exploring management options,” the doctor said in a statement.
We have enough depth to replace Ellyse Perry in the playing XI: Matthew Mott
Meanwhile, Australia have preferred not to name a replacement for her and will remain a part of the 15-player squad. The team coach Matthew Mott said that they are pretty much confident that they have enough depth to replace her in the playing XI.
“Ellyse is a key member of our squad and has been for a long period of time and on a personal level, we’re disappointed that she won’t have the opportunity to finish the tournament.
She gives her absolute all every time she takes to the field for her country and that was evident again against New Zealand in the selfless manner in which she threw herself into her batting, bowling and fielding performances. We’re confident that we have enough depth in the squad to cover her batting and bowling and know whoever gets an opportunity will make a strong contribution,” Mott added in a statement.
Perry has taken just one wicket in the tournament so far but has been quite economical in her bowling approach. Her late 15-ball 21 against New Zealand in the must-win battle was vital in steering Australia to 155/5, in a game they won by a whisker of four runs to reach the semi-finals.
Meg Lanning’s team will play the semi-finals at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) on March 5, Thursday, as second from Group A.