In an unprecedented display of cricketing prowess, Australian star all-rounder Ellyse Perry shattered records with her bowling performance for Royal Challengers Bangalore (RCB) in the Women’s Premier League (WPL). Taking on the formidable Mumbai Indians, Perry delivered what is now the best bowling figures ever seen in the history of the tournament.
During the intense showdown at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi, the acclaimed cricketer delivered a spellbinding performance, claiming six wickets in the clash that took place on Tuesday. Thanks to her effort, Perry has notched up her place in the record books as the first bowler in WPL to take a half-dozen wickets in one match. Her final numbers for the day were an impressive six wickets for just 15 runs.
Perry’s excellence with the ball was on full display as she masterfully targeted the stumps, getting the ball to dangerously nip back from outside off. Her impeccable line and length were too much for the batswoman to handle, as she secured four bowled and two LBW dismissals, an evidence of her precision. Perry’s incredible performance led to the Mumbai Indians folding for a meager total of 113 runs.
The match saw a variety of bowling figures from other luminaries in the past and present editions of the WPL, reminding spectators of the high-caliber talents in the league. Standout performances include Marizanne Kapp’s 5/15 against Gujarat Giants in 2023, and Asha Sobhana’s 5/22 versus UP Warriorz in the current year, alongside Tara Norris’s 5/29 against RCB and Kim Garth’s 5/36, both in 2023.
After Sophie Devine took the first wicket, it was all about Perry. Sajana Sajeevan, the new opener for Mumbai Indians, became Perry’s initial victim as the ball moved back in sharply, perplexing the batter with a powerful heave. The subsequent delivery pitched harmlessly outside the stumps, only for MI captain Harmanpreet Kaur to fall victim, dragging the ball onto her stumps as she played it away from her body.
Although Perry missed the hat-trick when Amelia Kerr managed to fend off the next ball, her momentum did not dwindle. Kerr soon succumbed LBW in the following over, initially given not out by the umpire, until an RCB review confirmed the dismissal. Amanjot Kaur was Perry’s fourth dismissal, her stumps uprooted by a magnificent nip-backer.
The Mumbai Indians squad found themselves in a perilous position at 73/5 after 11 overs. Perry achieved her five-wicket haul shortly afterward by dismissing Pooja Vastrakar with yet another in-ducker. The sixth feather in Perry’s cap came with the LBW of Nat Sciver-Brunt, culminating in Perry’s historic milestone.
Ellyse Perry’s record-breaking achievements have once again raised the bar in women’s cricket, particularly in the burgeoning WPL. Her performance not only highlights the growth and competitive spirit of the sport but also serves as inspiration for cricketers around the world. With athletes like Perry taking the field, the future of women’s cricket continues to look brighter by the day, promising more electrifying performances and momentous records to come.
