Franchise Leagues Fuel Unprecedented Growth in Women’s Cricket: Insights from Ellyse Perry

In 2012, Australia clinched the T20 World Cup title by defeating England in the finals at R. Premadasa Stadium. Under a picturesque sky with scattered clouds and in front of an enthusiastic crowd, the Australian women successfully defended their T20 crown.

Fast forward 13 years, and for the now-seasoned Ellyse Perry, the memories of that victory are somewhat blurred. Perry, who has participated in every World Cup in both white-ball formats since her debut in 2007, reminisces about those days. She mentioned how she and Alyssa Healy, the only two players from that squad participating in this tournament, were discussing their experiences recently. “It’s incredible to see how much has evolved since then,” she remarked prior to Australia’s Women’s ODI World Cup 2025 match against Pakistan.

Perry highlighted the significant progress women’s cricket has made, particularly with the establishment of franchise leagues globally. “The global cricket landscape is highly competitive now. Franchise leagues around the world have truly expanded the depth of women’s cricket. It’s a huge challenge for us, but that’s the thrilling part—to meet these challenges head-on,” she added.

As Australia aims to add to its points tally after their previous no-result fixture against Sri Lanka at the same venue due to rain, the nostalgia will be set aside. The team observed the India vs. Pakistan game played there on Sunday, noting how the low and slow Premadasa pitch tested both sides.

“We watched the conditions during the India-Pakistan match. Our thought process hasn’t significantly changed since we prepared for the previous game. We’ve had three thorough practice sessions, giving us a valuable preparation opportunity.”

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The pitch has not been conducive to high scores, which is usually a strength of the Australian team. “We’re fortunate to have depth in our batting lineup. We’ve discussed various strategies to leverage that depth. Our approach will remain positive, but we’ll also adapt according to the game’s dynamics, whether it be the conditions or our opponents. There’s a blueprint we can apply universally, but adaptability on the day is key.”

Additionally, this match will see Perry cross paths with Pakistan’s captain Fatima Sana, a long-time admirer. In a video shared by Cricket Australia in 2023, the young all-rounder was seen eagerly seeking an introduction to Perry. “When I was 11, she was winning the World Cup for Australia,” she had said shyly. Perry praised Fatima, describing her as “an amazing player, truly a talisman for the team. Her passion and energy are infectious, and she’s clearly a supportive and celebratory teammate. Her talents are immense, and it’s always a pleasure to compete against her.”

Published on Oct 08, 2025