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Perry believes speed key to T20 World Cup

3 minute read

Ellyse Perry feels fast bowling is back in vogue and expects it to help Australia defend their women's T20 World Cup title starting later this month.

ELLYSE PERRY of NSW leaves the field after being dismissed during the WNCL Final match between New South Wales and Western Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney, Australia.
ELLYSE PERRY of NSW leaves the field after being dismissed during the WNCL Final match between New South Wales and Western Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Superstar allrounder Ellyse Perry's believes fast bowling is going to be a weapon for Australia as they aim to defend their women's T20 World Cup title.

The Australians have had mixed results as they warm up for the tournament which commences later this month, with a win and a loss in their tri-series against India and England.

Speedster Perry was key to Australia's four-wicket win over India, taking 4-13 from her four overs in Canberra and scoring 49 from 47 balls as the hosts chased down India's total with seven balls remaining.

The three teams square off again this weekend in Melbourne before the opening match of the global event between Australia and India on February 21.

The 29-year-old Perry predicted the quicks to have an impact at the World Cup.

"I think fast bowling in general, if you look at the trend across Big Bash this season, has come back into vogue a little bit," Perry said.

"I think in the last couple of years spin has been a bit more dominant from a bowling point of view but certainly later in the summer the wickets are a bit harder so there's a bit more carry and bounce.

"If you look at Tayla Vlaeminck's performance last weekend, she's got incredible X-factor on Australian wickets and that was really crucial for us in that second game against India.

"I think across the board fast bowling is going to play a big role in this World Cup."

Returning from an ACL strain, Vlaeminck regularly hit the 120km/h mark and finished with career-best figures of 3-13.

Perry felt confident her team was building nicely to be a part of the decider and said the tri-series had been ideal preparation.

"It's certainly highlighted a few areas for us to improve on which is great so in two weeks we'll hopefully be peaking a the right time," she said.

"Just the chance to play in a few different locations has been brilliant and to have to back up two days in a row has been nice as well.

"From that point of view there's been no better preparation for us."

Perry was speaking at a mural unveiling in a Melbourne inner city laneway in which she features along with global singing sensation Katy Perry.

Organisers announced that the American would perform two songs before the World Cup final at the MCG on March 8 and then an hour-long concert at the completion of play.

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