Injured Perry tipped to return for World Cup final against old enemy
STAR all-rounder Ellyse Perry is on track to return to the Australian women’s line-up just in time for their World Cup final clash with England in Christchurch on Sunday, albeit as a specialist batter.
Perry has been missing from the unbeaten side after leaving the field with back spasms during Australia’s win against South Africa on March 22.
Captain Meg Lanning said on Saturday the star was a “pretty good” chance after impressing during a tough training session.
“She got through a pretty hard and highintensity session yesterday, and she’s trained again today and is feeling pretty good,” Lanning said. “It’ll just depend on how she pulls up this afternoon, that would be the final hurdle she needs to get over.
“But at this stage, it’s looking pretty good. She can definitely play as a specialist bat and that’s probably the most likely scenario.”
Australia is aiming for a record seventh World Cup victory while defending champion England is seeking its fifth.
In this tournament, the Aussies have maintained an unblemished record, starting with a 12-run victory over England – their closest result – and building to a 157-run walloping of the West Indies in the semifinals.
It has been a rockier path for the English, who were on the brink of elimination after losing their first three games before recovering to win the next five – including a 137-run semi thrashing of South Africa.
“It’s obviously brilliant to be in this position, knowing where we were a couple of weeks ago,” England captain Heather Knight said.