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The cricketing world has been abuzz following the departure of Heather Knight as England Women’s captain after nearly nine years at the helm. Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry, one of Knight’s fiercest competitors on the field, has spoken out in admiration of her leadership and contributions to the game.
Heather Knight steps down after nine years
Knight, who captained England in 199 matches since her appointment in 2016, announced her decision to step down as captain following a challenging period for the team. The move came in the wake of a disastrous 16-0 Ashes whitewash against Australia earlier this year and disappointing performances at the 2024 T20 World Cup.
Under her tenure, Knight led England to several milestones, including their iconic ICC Women’s World Cup victory on home soil in 2017 and a record-breaking streak of eight consecutive ODI series wins. However, recent struggles prompted a leadership reset by the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB), which also saw head coach Jon Lewis dismissed.
Ellyse Perry’s tribute to Heather Knight
Perry, a key figure in Australian cricket, lauded Knight’s contributions to England cricket. Speaking about her former rival on Fox Cricket, Perry said: “I know Heather really well, and she’s been an amazing servant to their team as captain for a long period of time and achieved so much… I think she should be applauded for everything that she’s done.”.
Perry also expressed confidence in England’s ability to bounce back under new leadership, emphasizing their importance to women’s cricket globally.
“I’ve got no doubt England is going to be back… they’ve got so many world-class players,” she added.
Also READ: 3 players who can replace Heather Knight as England women’s team captain
Challenges during Knight’s final year
Knight’s final year as captain was marred by significant challenges. The Ashes whitewash against Australia exposed weaknesses in England’s preparation and fitness levels. Additionally, their underwhelming campaign at the 2024 T20 World Cup further highlighted the need for structural changes within the team.
Despite these setbacks, Knight remained one of England’s most consistent performers with the bat. Teammates like Charlie Dean have publicly acknowledged that they felt they let Knight down during these tough times.
