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

Women's cricket history converges on North Sydney Oval

By Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

Greatest Sporting Moments - Bradman Museum

Ellyse Perry Bowling (2017-07-22) by Quinn Rooney/ Getty ImagesBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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.

Perry, Haynes, Knee & Picton at Bradman Memorial (2008) by Bradman MuseumBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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.

T20 Final ball women's WC Ellyse Perry (2010-05-13) by Philip BrownBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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.

Womens Ashes Test North Sydney (2017-11-09) by Rina Hore, Bradman MuseumBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

The first day-night women's Test match

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

Ellyse Perry (2017-11-11) by Steve Christo - CorbisBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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."

Michelle Goszko by Getty, Shaun Botterill:ALLSPORTBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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

Karen Rolton, Australia (2008) by Mark NolanBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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.

Kiran Baluch, Pakistan, Unknown, From the collection of: Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
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Pakistan's Kiran Baluch.

India Cricketer Mithali Raj, ICC, 2009, From the collection of: Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
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India's Mithali Raj.

Australian Womens Team Portrait, Worcester, Philip Brown, 2009, From the collection of: Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
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Australian Women's Touring Squad To England, 2009

The 2009 World Cup was, for the first time, conducted under the auspices of the International Cricket Council. Played from 10th-13th July 2009 at Worcester the sole Test match against England was drawn. Pictured at the Worcester Ground are; Back l-r, Official, Official, Shelley Nitschke, Sarah Andrews, Rene Farrell, Kirsten Pike, Ellyse Perry, Lauren Ebsary, Karen Rolton, Cathryn Fitzpatrick (Asst. Coach), Julie Savage (Manager), Richard McInnes (Coach). Front l-r, Jess Cameron, Leah Poulton, Alex Blackwell, Jodie Fields (Capt.), Lisa Sthalekar, Rachael Haynes, Erin Osborne.

Image Philip Brown

Australian Womens Cricket Team at Kent, Philip Brown, 2015, From the collection of: Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
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2015 Ashes Team Photographed At Canterbury, Kent

Back; (l-r) Jess Cameron, Jess Johanessen, Renee Farrell, Holly Ferling, Elyse Perry, Alyssa Healy, Erin Osborne, Grace Harris, Megan Schutt.
Front; Kristen Beams, Elyse Villani, Meg Lanning, Alex Blackwell, Sarah Coyte, Nicole Bolton.

Image Philip Brown

Belinda Clark Australian Captain (2003) by Darren EnglandBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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.

Ellyse Perry, 2nd One Day Iinternational Australia v England (2017) by Jason O'BrienBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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.

First Women's Day/Night Match at North Sydney Oval (2017-11-09/2017-11-12) by Mark Evans / Stringer. Getty ImagesBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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 213 Not Out (2017-11-09) by Mark Evans / Stringer. Getty ImagesBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

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.

NSW Breakers at Bradman Museum, Bradman Museum, 2016, From the collection of: Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
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NSW Breakers visit the Bradman Museum, 2016
The most successful domestic womens cricket team, ever. Ellyse Perry, back row on right.

NSW Breakers
Ellyse Perry, Kerry Marshall (Selector), Lisa Sthalekar, Angela Reakes, Erin Osbourne, Clair Kolski, Sharon Malanta, Kara Sutherland, Alyssa Healy, Sarah Aley,
Front: Joanne Broadbent (Coach) Staff,Staff, Nicole Carey, Keagan Tucker , Alex Blackwell

Ellyse Perry, ICC Women's World Cup: AUS v INDIA, John Sibley/Reuters, 2017, From the collection of: Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
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Ellyse Perry bowling, Unknown, 2014, From the collection of: Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
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Ellyse Perry fielding, Unknown, 2014, From the collection of: Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
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Australian Cricketers Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning, Harry Trump-IDI/Getty Images, 2017-07-12, From the collection of: Bradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame
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Australia's Ellyse Perry and Meg Lanning at ICC Women's World Cup - July 12, 2017

Ellyse Perry on Field (2012) by Philip BrownBradman Museum & International Cricket Hall of Fame

Flying High: Ellyse Perry on Field.

Credits: Story

Authors: Yvette Hollings. Rina Hore, Bradman Museum

Art Direction: Monica Donoso, Bradman Museum

© Bradman Museum 2019.

Image credits:
Philip Brown
Harry Trump-IDI/Getty Images
John Sibley/Reuters
Mark Evans/Stringer, Getty Images
Jason O'Brien
Cricket Australia
Mark Nolan
Shaun Botterill:ALLSPORT. Getty Images
Quinn Rooney/ Getty Images
Cricket NSW
Rina Hore, Bradman Museum
Bradman Museum Collection

Credits: All media
The story featured may in some cases have been created by an independent third party and may not always represent the views of the institutions, listed below, who have supplied the content.
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