‘What’s our tolerance there?’: Australia ready to risk Ellyse Perry’s fitness for Women’s World Cup T20 final

ByTech Word News

Australia are ready to risk Ellyse Perry if needed in Sunday’s ICC Women’s T20 World Cup final at Lord’s, with head coach Shelley Nitschke saying the all-rounder can play even if she is not fully fit.Perry went off injured during Australia’s semi-final win over the West Indies at The Oval after feeling what the team described as “less awareness of the quad”. She departed after facing seven balls, with Australia later stating that the decision was taken as a precaution as they were in control of the match.Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Nitschke said Australia had not practiced since the semi-final so there was still no clear information on Perry’s condition. However, she admitted that the World Cup final changes the way teams assess a player’s fitness.“Yes, potentially,” Nitschke said when asked if Perry could play without being fully fit.“I think there are still certain things she wants to be able to do as well (so that) she can still contribute to the team and stick, whether it’s in the field or running between the goals. But there’s that element, it’s a World Cup final, so what’s our tolerance? So definitely a bit of a different lens than maybe at other times.”Nitschke said the team still hopes Perry will be available for the finals.“Hopefully she’s been through OK and will be available on Sunday,” Nitschke said.“We don’t have a clear idea of ​​what it looks like.“We’re sure, but we’re not 100 percent sure how it’s going at this point.Perry was Australia’s top scorer in the tournament with 185 runs at an average of 46.25 and a strike rate of 135.03. She scored half-centuries against Pakistan and India, including a 38-ball 56 against India that guided Australia to victory and ended Harmanpreet Kaur’s team campaign.She also scored four goals during the tournament.Australia will play their first global tournament final since 2023 when they take to the pitch at Lord’s on Sunday. Perry, who missed the 2020 Women’s World Cup T20 final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground with a hamstring injury, is now racing to be fit for another chance at the World Cup final.