Australian great Ellyse Perry has added another historic chapter to her remarkable career, becoming the first cricketer to play 350 international matches for Australia across formats. The landmark appearance came during the third T20I against India in Adelaide, further cementing her status as one of the most enduring figures in the sport.
At 35, Perry continues to set standards for longevity and performance in women’s cricket, achieving milestones that span generations and formats.
Perry’s international story began in July 2007 when she debuted against New Zealand at just 16 years old. Her selection was extraordinary, she had yet to feature in senior domestic cricket before being fast-tracked into the national side, making her one of Australia’s youngest-ever international representatives.
On her T20I debut against England at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Perry delivered a standout all-round performance, scoring an unbeaten 29 and claiming four wickets, instantly highlighting her rare dual skill set.
With 350 international appearances, Perry now sits among the most capped players in the women’s game, trailing only Harmanpreet Kaur and Suzie Bates on the all-time list.
Her ability to perform consistently across Tests, One-Day Internationals and T20 Internationals has been underpinned by exceptional fitness, adaptability and technical evolution, qualities that have allowed her to remain a first-choice player for nearly two decades.
Early in her career, Perry was primarily viewed as a fast bowler and often batted low in the order. Over time, she reshaped her role, developing into one of Australia’s most reliable top-order batters, regularly occupying positions at No. 3 or No. 4.
In Test cricket, she has scored 930 runs in 14 matches at an average of 58, including a memorable double century, while also taking 39 wickets. Her ODI record features 4,505 runs and 166 wickets in 165 matches, and in 171 T20Is, she has accumulated 2,200 runs and 126 wickets.
Her impact was particularly notable at the 2010 ICC Women’s T20 World Cup, where she finished as Australia’s leading wicket-taker, playing a crucial role in the title-winning campaign. Perry’s career has been defined by sustained success at both international and domestic levels. She has been part of eight world championship-winning Australian teams across formats.
In domestic cricket, she has won 11 Women’s National Cricket League (WNCL) titles with New South Wales, two Women’s Big Bash League titles with the Sydney Sixers, and added a Women’s Premier League title with Royal Challengers Bengaluru. Her sporting excellence extends beyond cricket. In 2011, Perry represented Australia at the FIFA Women’s World Cup, becoming the first woman to compete for her country at World Cups in two different sports.
Reaching 350 international matches is a rare achievement in any era of cricket. For Perry, it reflects not only her longevity but her ability to evolve and remain relevant at the highest level year after year.
As she continues to represent Australia, this milestone stands as a powerful reminder of her influence on the game and a benchmark that future generations of cricketers will aspire to reach.
