Australian cricket icon Ellyse Perry has officially put an end to widespread speculation regarding her Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) future, signing a new three-year deal with Sydney Sixers. The landmark agreement ensures Perry will remain a cornerstone of the magenta squad until at least WBBL|13, delivering a significant boost to the club as it embarks on a fresh chapter under new head coach Matthew Mott.
Ellyse Perry’s enduring legacy and impact
At 34 years old, Perry has been an integral part of the Sixers’ identity since the league’s inaugural season in 2015, famously becoming the club’s very first signing. Over the past decade, she has cemented her legacy as one of the WBBL’s most dominant all-rounders, consistently delivering exceptional performances with both bat and ball. Her influential leadership guided the Sixers to back-to-back titles in WBBL|02 and WBBL|03. Individually, Perry boasts a staggering 4,689 runs for the Sixers at an impressive average of 48.84, marking her as the club’s leading run-scorer and second only to Beth Mooney in the league’s all-time records.
A new era and roster reinforcement
This crucial announcement comes at a pivotal time for the Sixers, who are keen to recapture their championship form after a challenging period. Despite consistently fielding strong squads, the team has reached the finals only once in the last six seasons. The appointment of Matthew Mott, the highly successful former coach of the Australian women’s team, signals a strategic shift for the club. Mott steps into the role vacated by Charlotte Edwards, who has since taken the reins of the England women’s team. His return to Australian domestic cricket sees him reunite with several familiar faces from his national team tenure, including Perry, Ashleigh Gardner and Alyssa Healy.
Rachael Haynes, the Sixers General Manager, underscored Perry’s profound and lasting influence on the club. “Ellyse has been a key part of the Sixers since the inception of the competition and has played an incredibly important role in shaping the identity of our club over the last decade,” Haynes stated in her official statement. “Anyone who knows ‘Pez’ knows that she’s not just an outstanding talent, she’s an incredible role model for young cricketers and one of the very best ambassadors for our sport.”
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Perry’s re-signing forms a critical foundation for the Sixers’ roster, which already features an array of international stars like Gardner, Alyssa Healy and New Zealand’s Amelia Kerr. With nine contracted players already confirmed, the club holds the coveted No.1 pick in this week’s Big Bash drafts, providing a unique opportunity to further strengthen their squad. The current WBBL|11 roster includes Perry, Gardner, Healy, Kerr, Maitlan Brown, Lauren Cheatle, Elsa Hunter, Caoimhe Bray and Courtney Sippel.
The Sixers’ commitment to retaining their core talent and investing in experienced leadership is evident, with Perry’s long-term pledge offering stability and inspiration for both established stars and promising young players.
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