Mumbai: Ellyse Perry, one of the true legends of the women’s game, captained Birmingham Phoenix through The Hundred 2026 and ended what was otherwise a disappointing campaign for her side on a genuinely high note, delivering a match-winning performance in their final league fixture. In a chat with JioStar, Perry opened up about the achievement she’s proudest of in her career, shared her thoughts on India’s captain Harmanpreet Kaur and vice-captain Smriti Mandhana, and looked ahead to the inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027.
On her longevity and how she’s evolved as a player over the years:
Perry explained that evolution as a cricketer happens naturally, almost as a by-product of simply growing as a person. Over the many years she’s been part of the game, she’s gone through countless experiences, learned from different people, and explored new avenues she wouldn’t have otherwise. She noted that the changes are often small and incremental, but stacked over a long career, they add up to real growth. For her, there’s no single turning point — just years of accumulated experience, constantly building on itself.
On the proudest achievement of her career:
Without hesitation, Perry said simply representing Australia remains her proudest achievement. She described herself as a deeply passionate and patriotic Australian, and said there’s nothing quite like the feeling of playing for her country.
On India’s captain and vice-captain, Harmanpreet Kaur and Smriti Mandhana:
Asked what makes Smriti Mandhana so successful, Perry pointed first to her sheer skill, but was quick to add that it’s her willpower and mental strength that truly set her apart. She spoke admiringly of how Mandhana prepares, how well she understands herself, her approach to the game, and her hunger for a challenge — calling it a complete package. On Harmanpreet Kaur, Perry singled out her tenacity as her greatest strength, describing her as a fierce competitor who, when she’s in rhythm, is capable of striking some of the biggest shots in the women’s game.
On the upcoming inaugural ICC Women’s Champions Trophy 2027:
Perry called the new tournament a great opportunity, both for the women’s game as a whole and for every team involved. She admitted there’s a natural excitement that comes with being part of a brand-new event on the calendar — something fresh for everyone to look forward to. She acknowledged that the tournament will test players both physically and mentally, meaning preparation will need to be precise, but insisted her mindset never really changes: the goal is always to go out and win every single game.
On her advice for young girls taking up cricket:
Reflecting on her own journey, Perry said she considers herself incredibly fortunate to have had great guidance growing up. She spoke fondly of playing local cricket with close friends and spending countless hours in the nets with her father, who she credits with teaching her nearly everything she knows about the game, and who has remained a constant source of support throughout her career. She acknowledged, though, that the landscape of women’s cricket looks very different today, with young professionals stepping into a far more developed environment — and that today’s young players are remarkably well prepared for it. Rather than offering one piece of advice, she said she often learns just as much from the current generation as they might from her, given their different experiences and fresh energy. For her, it ultimately comes down to supporting one another and staying genuinely open to learning from each other.
Watch Q20s with Ellyse Perry exclusively on the Star Sports YouTube Channel.
