Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has signed with Birmingham Phoenix for the inaugural edition of “The Hundred”. Alongside Perry, Ashleigh Gardner would be her compatriot and New Zealand’s Sophie Devine among others. In addition to that Perry would also reunite with Coach Ben Sawyer who is responsible for Sydney Sixers in the Women’s Big Bash League.
“I can’t wait to come over to the UK and get involved in The Hundred this summer,” Perry said. “It’s fantastic to see how it’s put women’s cricket in the spotlight and attracted so many of the world’s top players to come and play in it.
“With 100 balls per side it’s going to be really exciting to play in, and I’m looking forward to helping introduce a new generation to cricket and hopefully inspiring them to pick up a bat and ball themselves.”
Perry who received the ICC Women’s Player of the Decade award was not among the players unveiled three weeks ago at The Hundred event, as the given players are being signed by the eight teams on an individual basis with no equivalent draft event like the men’s competition.
“Ellyse’s participation in The Hundred shows that the competition continues to attract the best players from around the world,” Beth Barrett-Wild, Head of The Hundred Women’s Competition said.
“By showcasing the most talented female cricketers on the planet. On such a big stage, alongside the men’s, we have an opportunity to continue to normalize cricket as a sport for women and girls. As much as it is for men and boys. I truly believe that “The Hundred” will be a game changer for women’s sport.”
The “The Hundred” women’s tournament will kickstart with Oval Invisibles going up against Manchester Originals in a standalone women’s match on 21st July, a day before the men’s teams meet. After those first two games, both men’s and women’s sides would play at the same venue on the same date with the finals scheduled at Lord’s on 21st August.