Perth, March 5 – Australian captain Alyssa Healy says veteran all-rounder Ellyse Perry is getting closer to fitness ahead of the upcoming day-night Test at the WACA, though the final decision on her availability will be made closer to the match.
Perry has been working hard to recover from a quadriceps issue that threatened to rule her out of the pink-ball encounter against India. However, the 35-year-old’s progress in training this week has given the Australian camp optimism.
“We have a good idea of what it will look like. Obviously, Ellyse Perry is key, and we’ll assess her as we go. She trained really well yesterday, so it’s looking very promising. For her to be able to participate in this series again (would be) huge – from all reports, it wasn't exactly a straightforward issue that she had, so her ability to get back into the game is remarkable. Playing Test cricket for us women is rare. So I think she'll be eager to get out there,” Healy told reporters in Perth of Australia's likely XI.
Perry’s availability is expected to shape the balance of Australia’s lineup for the Test at the WACA Ground. If she is cleared to play, she will likely play purely as a specialist batter rather than in her usual all-rounder role.
Should she miss out, Australia may hand a debut to Tasmanian batter Rachel Trenaman, who has been prolific in domestic cricket. Alternatively, the side could adjust its deep batting order to accommodate an additional bowling option.
“I suspect there will be a debutant, so we’ll have to wait and see who that will be. I think the lineup will look pretty similar to what the Ashes Test was last year, so I’ll probably slot down in the middle order, but that depends on balance, and probably on Pez’s availability. Trenno has made a lot of runs in domestic cricket and would be a perfect fit for Ellyse Perry if she doesn’t get up,” Healy said.
Healy added that even if Perry plays solely as a batter, Australia still has enough bowling depth through all-rounders such as Tahlia McGrath and Annabel Sutherland.
“We have so many options with the ball, and people are asking for more opportunities with the ball, so we won’t struggle in that department,” she said.
Conditions at the WACA could also influence Australia’s final XI. The pitch has a noticeable covering of grass, while temperatures are forecast to reach 37°C during the opening days of the match. Healy acknowledged the temptation of selecting three specialist quicks but suggested it may not be the most likely option.
“(The pitch) has got a thick coverage of grass, so no doubt it might be a little bit spongy on day one, and probably get quite dry and flat as the days go on. I would love to see that unfold, (three quicks) ripping in with a new ball … but we’ll wait and see what conditions present. We talk about the pace and bounce, but I think someone like Alana King is going to be a real tricky prospect out here,” she said.
“We’ll have a better look at the wicket today, just knowing the heat and probably what it’s going to be like over the next four days … I think spin might actually come into play at this ground, in particular, in the women’s game,” Healy concluded.
