Aussie batters hit peak form in WNCL

ELLYSE Perry says her oneday century as captain of Victoria was “OK”, as a host of batters posted big scores across the country in a massive tick before January’s Ashes series against England.

The superstar Australian all-rounder whacked 10 fours and four sixes in her innings of 120 from 94 balls.

It ultimately wasn’t enough from the acting skipper – who was standing in while national captain Meg Lanning was given a rest. The Vics lost to NSW by 26 runs as players returned to one-day action in the WNCL.

But the runs from the opposition – including Ashleigh Gardner striking 57 from 54 – were all good signs for the upcoming clash with England.

On a fruitful weekend, Australian vice-captain Rachael Haynes hit 96 on Friday in her first elite match since September’s series against India. “It was OK,” Perry (above) said of Sunday’s innings. “I think in those circumstances you probably reflect on that and wonder should I have gone (harder) earlier, should we have gone earlier? ... I’m really excited for the next group of games.”

The success continued for Australian players in Hobart, where Nicola Carey struck back-to-back innings of 100 and 74 for Tasmania, spinner Jess Jonassen ripped through Queensland, bagging 5-24 on Friday, while Georgia Redmayne shone with the bat on Sunday, hitting 63.

The players will all break for Christmas before returning in January for more WNCL games, before the Australian players break off for a preAshes camp. Australia will play England in all three formats, starting with a Test match at Manuka Oval on January 27.