SPEEDY PERRY HELPS AUSSIES STRIKE BACK

ELLYSE Perry lost her place in the Australian T20 team because selectors felt she needed to make her runs faster.

It cost her Commonwealth Games gold, and questions were asked about her place in the squad ahead of a World Cup defence in February.

But recalled for her first series in more than 12 months the veteran superstar showed just why she’s regarded among the best ever with a career-high knock, at sterling pace, to guide Australia to a rebound win over India in Mumbai.

Perry made the fastest 50 of her career in any format, smashed off just 33 balls, on her way to 75 off just 44 balls as the tourists carved out 8-172.

Teenager speedster Darcie Brown, who missed the first two matches after falling ill on arrival in India, then got off her sick bed to take 2-19 to put the home team on the back foot in the run chase that ultimately fell 21 runs short.

“I thought Ellyse Perry played an outstanding knock,” Aussie captain Alyssa Healy said.

Perry deflected any attention on her own innings, calling the win a “great team effort” and deferring to Grace Harris’ innings of 41 off just 17 balls, which included three sixes, as the difference.

“This is an amazing team to be a part of and any chance you get to play a role is nice,” she said.

“It seems people want to fixate on milestones and particular scores in games, but I don’t think it’s about that. If you think about Grace’s innings tonight, it was so important in the context of the match. I really enjoyed the opportunity tonight and had a lot of fun.”

But Perry, who remains the No.1 ranked ODI all-rounder, conceded her motivating factor for playing on was trying to “evolve”.

Newly crowned No.1 T20 batter Tahlia McGrath was dismissed for just one in Australia’s innings, her lowest score in 11 T20 innings and the first time she’s been out in the series.

After Brown’s early assault with the ball, spinner Ash Gardner took two wickets as India collapsed, losing 5-40 to give Australia a 2-1 lead in the five-game series.