Under Lights: Ellyse Perry’s 213 'Not Out'

In years to come, when people recall the first ever women's day-night Test match, one name will stand out above all others: Player of the Match and Australian all-rounder, Ellyse Perry.

Ellyse Perry became the youngest Australian ever to play international cricket when she debuted in the second ODI of the Rose Bowl series against New Zealand in July 2007, before her 17th birthday, despite never having played a National League domestic match at the senior level. Considered a genuine all-round prospect right from the start, Perry's stellar rise has seen her take on the role of pace spearhead in the Australian bowling attack and number 4 batsmen.


Ellyse Perry, age 17, at her first T20, in 2017.

By the time Perry had made her Test debut at Bradman Oval against England in 2008, she had already made headlines, when, days earlier, her unbeaten 29 that included a massive straight six, and four wickets on T20 international debut, led Australia to a 21-run win over England at the MCG.



Image of Ellyse Perry holding the T20 World Cup with Australian Captain's Miriam Knee (1971-73), Muriel Picton (1960-69), and Rachael Haynes (2017) holding the Women's World Cup. Bradman Museum, 2008.

Initially, it was her bowling that proved her stronger suit, and she picked up her maiden five-wicket haul in an ODI against New Zealand in February 2010. Three months later, she was Australia's leading wicket-taker at the Women's World T20 in the Caribbean. That included a Player-of-the-Match-winning performance in the final, where her three wickets helped restrict New Zealand in a thrilling run chase and crown Australia world champions. She went on to play a vital role in all of Australia's four World Cup victories in as many years, though she will forever be remembered for the 2013 Women's World Cup final against West Indies, when, barely able to walk, she limped in to bowl 10 overs and took 3 for 19.

The first day-night women's Test match

Afternoon play on North Sydney Oval, Sydney Australia - November 9, 2017. Image Rina Hore, Bradman Museum.

213 Not Out

On Saturday November 11, 2019, Ellyse Perry scored 213 not out from 374 balls, including twenty-seven 4's and one 6. This is the highest test score by an Australian player, passing the previous highest record innings made by Karen Rolton in 2001.

Perry said after the day's play,

"It was fun. I think that's probably the best way to describe it... I had an amazing time out there today batting with all the girls and just taking in what was such a special day in terms of the crowd attendance, it being day three of the first day-night pink ball Test Match and just a really great event for women's cricket."

"More than anything I think what's been the biggest thrill has been the people who have come to this match and the atmosphere that has been created. The number of people that are just enjoying the cricket. The amount of young kids I've seen the last few days and hung around for autographs late into the night, that's the biggest thrill I've had in my career."

Australia's Michelle Goszko, scored 204 on debut, 2001.

Karen Rolton was also not out when she scored 209 against England at Leeds, a week after team mate Michelle Goszko scored 204 on Test debut at Headingly in 2001. There are two scores higher than Perry's 213 in women's Tests. The highest score is Kiran Baluch's 242 against West Indies in 2004 followed by 214 scored by Mithali Raj against England in 2002.

Perry, who now owns the second highest score by an Australian woman in an international match, behind Belinda Clark's unbeaten 229 at the 1997 World Cup, spoke of the team significance of the innings, not only for this match but also the growth of the women's game overall.

The Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes Series marked the first time Cricket Australia had ticketed women's international matches, with a record 29,158 fans attending the matches across Australia.

The Ashes series consisted of;

1 four day day-night Test match
3 ODI fifty over matches
3 T20 matches

Fans around the world enjoyed a world-class live stream broadcast of the historic Commonwealth Bank Women's Ashes day-night Test at North Sydney Oval, from Thursday 9 November to 12 November 2018. Fans were able to enjoy every ball of the action, including Ellyse Perry's recording-breaking unbeaten 213, with an all-female commentary team including former Australia stars Mel Jones and Lisa Sthalekar, and former England heroes Charlotte Edwards and Isa Guha, providing expert insights of the on-field action throughout the game.

Total viewership across the six matches broadcast on Channel Nine reached just over 4 million people, with the final One Day International televised on the main channel attracting a significant audience, providing further indication of the growing appetite for the women's game. The live stream on Cricket Network reached 256,000 viewers across the series with 4.5 million minutes watched online.

"The Australian Women's Cricket Team successfully retained the Ashes on home soil and once again represented their country with pride and inspired young cricketers across the country."

Ellyse Perry, press conference, 11 November 2017.

Watching on at the day-night Test were thousands of excited and appreciative spectators, including hundreds of young girls. This too was something to savour for those wanting to see women’s cricket grow and succeed; while the match itself was drawn, there’s no doubt Ellyse Perry’s standout performance will have inspired the next generation.

Afternoon on North Sydney Oval, November 9th, 2017., Day one Day-Night Test match. Image Mark Evans/Stringer, Getty Images.

Ellyse Perry cheered off after her innings of 213 Not Out, at the historic first day-night Test match, North Sydney Oval, November 9, 2017 Australia.
Image Mark Evans/Stringer, Getty Images.

Flying High: Ellyse Perry on Field.