Ellyse Perry creates history, becomes first woman cricketer to complete double of 300 wickets, 5000 runs

Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry became the first woman cricketer to complete the double of 5,000 runs and 300 wickets across formats in international cricket on October 2. Perry achieved the unique feat with the wicket of India’s bowling all-rounder Pooja Vastrakar on Day 3 of the ongoing pink-ball Test at Carrara Oval, Queensland. 

Beth Mooney took a stunner at gully to help the 30-year-old dismiss Vastrakar in the 144th over of India’s first innings. Perry is currently the third-highest wicket-taker across formats behind India’s Jhulan Goswami (337 wickets) and England’s Kartherine Brunt (301 wickets).

Perry has taken 31, 152 and 115 wickets in Tests, ODI and T20I format respectively. She has 651 runs in Test format, 3,135 runs in ODIs and 1,243 runs in T20Is. 

The Sydney-born cricketer took two wickets in India’s first innings including the wicket of in-form youngster Yastika Bhatia. At the end of Day 3’s play, the no.4 batter remained not out for 27 from 98 deliveries to prevent Indian bowlers from inflict more damage and take her team’s score to 143/4.

Earlier, India declared after posting 377/8 after 145 overs. Opener Smriti Mandhana scored her maiden Test century (122) whereas Deepti Sharma contributed with a 66-run knock. The hosts still trail by 234 runs as the match is headed towards a draw until and unless Indian bowlers perform extraordinarily. Australia also need 85 more runs to avoid follow-on.