Lean CA praised by Perry

ELLYSE Perry is upbeat a back-to-basics approach could be a boon for Australian cricket, having expressed relief that support staff working with the national women’s side were spared the axe.

Cricket Australia has slashed 40 jobs and announced a range of cost-cutting measures as it seeks to save $40 million next financial year. There may be some varied roles and hours but the backroom staff who helped Perry’s team surge to an epic Twenty20 World Cup triumph in March, headed by national coach Matthew Mott, have been retained.

There is an expectation the size of touring parties will shrink and high-performance costs will come down.

Perry, who is recovering from hamstring surgery as she seeks to return for September’s trans-Tasman series, suggested it could be a catalyst to make positive changes.

“We are really fortunate as an organisation to have been able to run with some great luxuries around resourcing and high performance,” the star allrounder said.

“Those things are absolutely great. But sometimes paring it back and figuring out what you absolutely need and what’s essential to playing well is not a bad thing.”

Perry noted her team was grateful not to lose support staff, also describing CA’s decision to maintain a full domestic season as “crucial” to the development of the women’s game.

This week, research revealed Australians have a stronger emotional connection with Perry’s side than any other national sporting team.

“It’s a great indication of just how successful and how important that T20 World Cup was,” she said.

“It probably doesn’t surprise me a number of teams in those rankings were female because we are in a really wonderful sweet spot at the moment.

“Teams are gaining more recognition and being exposed more to the public.”