Ellyse Perry has concluded one of the most challenging years of her career by clean sweeping the women’s categories at the ICC Awards.
She was announced as the Rachael Heyhoe-Flint ICC Female Cricketer of the Decade, confirming her status as one of the greatest cricketers of this generation, while also nabbing the top gongs for best female player in both the T20I and ODI categories.
Her Australian teammates Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy also joined her in the ODI Team of the Decade, while Megan Schutt joined the trio in the T20I Team of the Decade.
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But a closer look at Perry’s 2020 shows the accolades have come at a crucial time, as the new year looms and she looks to get back to her best.
It has been a tough year for many and, from the outside, it has looked to be no different for Australia’s favourite all-rounder.
Perry, who recently turned 30, has played a huge part in the national squad since she was 16 years old.
But she missed out on arguably the biggest match in the team’s history back in March, when Australia defeated India in the Women’s T20 World Cup Final in front of a record 86,174 people at the MCG.
Perry suffered a heartbreaking hamstring injury while fielding against New Zealand, tearing it off the bone and ruling her out of Australia’s remaining games.
It was just the start of a difficult period in which she separated from her husband, rugby union player Matt Toomua, after five years of marriage.
Then there was Victoria’s strict coronavirus lockdown, which Perry dealt with solo, away from her family in Sydney.
Then there were all the challenges surrounding the WBBL hub — but you certainly wouldn’t hear Perry complaining about it.
A very private person with an upbeat personality, she insists 2020 has not been all bad.
Perry usually spends a lot of time travelling for her cricket abroad and domestically, but with that out the window, the restrictions surrounding COVID-19 forced her to slow down.
“I had some wonderful support from my family, friends and teammates [during lockdown] and, from a selfish point of view, being in the one place for the best part of six months was a little bit of a blessing for me; to be able to focus on my rehab,” Perry said.
“Everyone has had their own struggles this year. It has been challenging, but I think it’s also reminded me of what’s really important and that’s the people in your life.”
Even though Perry missed out on playing with the Australian team on that special night back in March, she reflects on the occasion with nothing but pride.
“Honestly, I think I would be entirely selfish to claim that that was hard for me, given that occasion was so incredibly special for the team and for everyone that has been involved in women’s cricket for so many years,” she said.
“There’s been a great amount of evolution, development and progress during that time.
“Since I started playing for Australia about 14 years ago, the standards and difference in professionalism has changed monumentally and I guess that was really encapsulated by the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
“It was just an amazing celebration for so many people and obviously a special chance for the girls who took the field, but there were a couple of girls sitting next to me on the sideline who also didn’t play, and so many others in the stands and watching on TV who deserve just as much acknowledgment.”
Perry was based in Sydney for the WBBL, where the entire competition was run from a hub.
The Sixers captain finished the tournament fifth for overall runs (390), with three 50s and also had the third-best average in the league (48.75).
Most would class this as impressive, especially considering she was coming back from such a painful injury, but some criticised her for a slower strike rate as an opening batter (96.53).
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Certainly, when you think of Perry’s outstanding performances on the international stage, her work in the longer formats stand out the most.
But while she looks to get back to her best next year as the Australian team builds towards the 2022 one-day World Cup, Perry hinted that the shorter format and its obsession with hard-hitting, dynamic players, could influence her next area of growth.
“I think certainly, T20 cricket over the last 10 years has been a tremendous vehicle to develop the game and take it forward,” she told the ICC on awards night.
“A competition like the WBBL has had such a big impact … so to be nominated for this award — albeit I’m not sure I’m the most dynamic of T20 players — I really appreciate the vote.”
Elements of this article originally appeared in the ABC Cricket Magazine and have been altered to reflect recent events.
You can grab a copy from your local newsagent.
