The Australian women’s cricket team are setting the pace

IT WAS THE THIRD third one-dayer of the 2019 Ashes series. An uncharacteristically blue sky draped itself over the Kent County ground in Canterbury where England was chasing a target of 270. As the batters strode to the pitch, Ellyse Perry measured her run-up. She flicked the new ball between seasoned hands, its white surface glinting in the sun like a camera flash. Spectators were still taking to their seats as Perry charged down the pitch to opener Amy Jones. Like a bull unleashed in the ring, her pace was unrelenting, her focus locked, her aggression channelled through this instrument she released at top speed.  

It was only the third ball of the day when a cry of “catch” came from fielders and England’s first wicket fell to Perry. Then came the second wicket, followed by a third the very next delivery. In the locker room one could imagine England’s batting order scrambling to keep up with the carnage taking place on field. Even before they got to the crease, the legend of Perry had snaked its way through their psyche and robbed them of all confidence. England was trapped in a nightmare but for fans watching at home, they were witnessing one of the best performances in cricket’s history. In just ten overs, Perry ruthlessly dismantled England to score figures of 7-22, dismissing the hosts for a paltry 75 as Australia edged closer to a most convincing series win.  

You would think such a moment stands out to Perry. You would think that where other memories are left to compile dust, this remains cast in the spotlight, taking up real-estate on the top shelf where it’s easily within arm’s reach. But as Perry will be quick to tell you, it’s not this moment that stands out amongst her five Ashes tours. She’s scored two centuries! She’s launched herself top-speed across a field only to position her body beneath the ball, goading it into her hands with the most gentle of touches! The problem is, these memories all speak to an individual talent, something Perry spends little time dwelling on let alone talking about. The teamwork though? That’s the stuff of top-shelf memories.  

Ellyse wears Alemais jumper $390 and shorts $260

“Every Ashes series never fails to deliver its own amazing competition. There’s such a ridiculous rivalry and sense of history behind these series, on both the women’s and men’s side, that being involved in them is such a privilege that you really sense the occasion,” she explains. “Having a chance to experience each one as a team and them being so unique and different is the highlight for me.”  

THE TEAMWORK Perry speaks of is one that has seen the Australian women’s cricket team dominate the sport. On an international stage, their talent, experience, and work ethic is unmatched. Since the inception of the Women’s ODI World Cup in 1973, the team has won the tournament a record eight times. To put things in perspective, they’ve held the T20 World Cup trophy six times to the Australian men’s one, broken Ricky Ponting’s 2003 men’s team’s record winning streak of 21 ODIs over 133 days with a 26-game winning run, and are the only Australian side to have won a gold medal in cricket at a Commonwealth Games. Where sporting stories tend to favour the underdog, this is a team whose shadow eclipses Goliath.  

With such long-standing success comes great expectations. We don’t simply expect our women cricketers to perform well, we expect them to win. Most would crumble under such pressure, but this is a team that knows such pressure is a privilege. They push themselves to evolve, nurturing young talent like batter Phoebe Litchfield and spin bowler Alana King. They know theirs is a reputation borne from players past and present, all of whom have fought to be taken seriously and worked tirelessly to grow the women’s game. 

Alana wears Nike jacket $115, Nagnata jumper $380 and shorts $240

While most sporting codes compete for fan loyalty throughout the year, cricket commands the summer. To visit the beach is to have your reflexes tested by those playing cricket with a plastic bat and tennis ball. Meanwhile, suburban streets are transformed. It begins with the low grumble of a garbage bin being wheeled down a driveway. Serving as a makeshift wicket, players hear the call and assemble from neighbouring homes. Their field is one of potholes, garden beds, and power lines. Their sledges take the tune of “one-hand-one-bounce” and “hit it over that roof and you’re ringing the bell to collect it!” As the bowler steps into the street and begins their run-up, no car dares infiltrate such a setting. The stakes are too high, the promise of street bragging rights too important to interrupt.  

It might be a world away from the stadium lights of the MCG, but ask any cricketer and they’ll tell you it’s here they got their start. “That’s exactly what we all did,” says King. “My brother and Dad introduced me to the sport and we played heaps of cricket in the backyard. It got moved to the front yard because we broke too many pot plants and some windows.”  

FOR LITCHFIELD, it was on the family tennis court alongside her brother, Ben, that she first honed her skills in cricket. Soon after, she was taking on men twice her age and size as a 16-year-old playing third grade cricket in her home town of Orange. “It was pretty funny. The bowlers would slow down for me because it was like ‘god, this is a little girl, what the hell!’ And then I’d pull them for four and they’d speed up or bounce me,” she recalls with a laugh. “I’d think ok, now you’re coming to the party.”  

Phoebe wears Polo Ralph Lauren jacket $1850, P.E Nation singlet $90, and Venroy shorts $130

Inevitably, for those who possess remarkable hand-eye coordination and a natural affinity for sport, there comes a moment when they must choose a single direction to pursue. For Litchfield and King, the decision to stick with cricket was one not only aided by passion but the professionalisation of the game at large. There’s no question women’s sport has grown significantly in recent years. The 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup reached an audience of two billion people, becoming the most-watched women’s sporting event ever. Even so, disparity concerning pay, sponsorship, and grassroots investment remains an issue.   

And yet, cricket has led the charge in driving change. In 2017, after a 10-month negotiation period which saw some of Australia’s most senior and talented male cricketers threaten to strike, a landmark deal was reached with Cricket Australia that resulted in the biggest pay rise in the history of women’s sport in the country. The gender equity pay model saw female player payments increase from $7.5 million to $55.2 million, providing a secure workplace at both an international and domestic level.  

Phoebe wears Nike jacket $150, Blanca shirt $250 and shorts $130, Nagnata singlet $225, Nike sneakers $140 and socks $30 (sold as set)

Such a milestone is one whose impact Perry experienced firsthand. “I remember the first time I played in the Australian team and there was a left-handed batter who worked for Australia Post. We had physios, we had school teachers, people who worked in game development, accountants, lawyers; everyone with other professions. It was amazing to see them still playing at that level but obviously it was because they needed to work because there wasn’t that income coming from cricket,” she explains.  

“As things evolved, I think cricket has very much led the way in Australia with the professionalisation of women’s sport. I’m really grateful for that opportunity to have played other sports for as long as I did. Even at the time, I thought it was such a great thing to [have to] choose because it meant that the progress and development of women’s sport was getting to a point where it needed full-time attention.”  

THE COMMITMENT TO GROWTH is evident in the upcoming Ashes series which will see the MCG – Australia’s largest stadium – host the women’s four-day pink ball Test. With a capacity of 100,000, giving the women’s game centre stage at such an iconic venue not only speaks to the players’ talent but also reflects the increasing demand from audiences. Such an occasion isn’t lost on Litchfield. “Venues have a massive effect. The energy of the crowd lifts everyone and it actually makes us feel a bit more like we’re professional cricket players. Sometimes we get put on these venues where the cricket is still the same because we’re always giving our best, but the atmosphere just makes such a difference.”  

Ellyse wears Nagnata jumper $490, and Venroy pants $280. Alana wears Nike jumper $120 and pants $110, and P.E Nation singlet $70. Phoebe wears Nike jumper $100, and Venroy pants $160

Venue aside, the Ashes boasts a specific atmosphere borne of intense rivalry, tradition, and grit. For the women, the series takes shape in a point-based multi-format where each game produces a tally on the scoreboard for one team. Taking place every two years between England and Australia, our women’s team hold the record with a total of 10 wins out of the 23 series. England have won six and the teams have drawn an equal nine times. “In a World Cup you might play England once in a round-match or a final, but in the Ashes you’re playing each other every single game so there’s no let off. It feels like each series goes to another level of competitiveness,” explains Perry.  

It’s this that makes the Ashes so riveting, not to mention nerve-wracking, for players and fans alike. The best team isn’t just the one who can chase down runs or take wickets on any given day. It’s also the team that can come back from defeat with unshakeable confidence. Cricket is a fickle game. The pitch can dry up, the outfield can slow so that the ball practically crawls to the boundary. Even something as flippant as a coin toss wields power. Players need to be adaptable, they need to rally behind one another when things don’t go to plan and it’s this that sets Australia apart.  

“I don’t think you can dwell on losses too much because if you let that linger, it’s going to creep into the next game and before you know it, you’ve lost the series,” says King. “Everyone backs each other when we step across that white rope. We’ve got each other’s backs. Whoever you’re standing next to, if it’s not your day, they’ll pick up the slack and if it’s not their day, you’ll pick up the slack for them.”  

FOR KING, her Ashes debut in 2022 still stands out as the best moment in her career and one that was a culmination of dogged dedication and personal growth. Despite growing up in Victoria, King knew that if she wanted to get more time with the ball during play, she’d need to move to Western Australia. At the height of the global pandemic in 2020, a time when the future seemed most uncertain, King seized her opportunity. Looking back now, she acknowledges it was this move that got her to where she is today. “I’m very close with my family. That’s just how I’ve been my whole life. So, to make a decision to pack up everything and go across the country was a big risk. I knew nothing was guaranteed but I knew I wanted to try something and take on a new challenge, fall in love with the game again, and just go back to having fun and playing cricket. I did that as soon as I moved to Perth,” says King.  

Alana wears Maggie Marilyn shirt $295 and P.E Nation tank $69

“Every time I get given the opportunity to put the Australian shirt on, I never take one minute of it for granted because I just know how special it is. No doubt times will be tough, you might get absolutely smashed around the park. But sometimes people forget to stop and smell the roses and just take it all in.” 

Though the first women’s Ashes ODI takes place on January 12, players remain focused on the present. The current Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) will lead into an international series against India, giving the team ample opportunity to hone their craft before facing England. It makes for a busy calendar year where moments of downtime must be snatched where possible. Ask the players about burn out though, and they’ll tell you it’s this season they look forward to most. “This is my favourite time of year. I love our summer and being home and playing cricket at some of the best grounds around the country. It is pretty full on for the most part but there are always days here and there to take stock,” says Perry. “I go jump in the car and go to the beach or just hang out and that’s a nice refresh. But without a doubt, this time of year is my absolute favourite to be playing cricket and it gives me a lot of energy anyway.”  

Ellyse wears Polo Ralph Lauren sweater $499, Adidas jumper $120, and Lee Mathews trousers $449

IN EXACTLY A MONTH, green and gold will stream into the top venues across Australia. Pubs will be filled with those brandishing the Australian flag, heckles will be yelled in jest from Brits across the room, a TV will sound through an open window, broadcasting the game to two kids trying not to break a window amidst the intensity of a game of backyard cricket. The weight of a nation will rest squarely on the shoulders of the Australian women’s cricket team. But it’s a pressure they welcome. To have such great expectations suggests they’re doing something right, that theirs is a forward momentum in which women’s sport will triumph.  

“I look at it like, what would the opposite of that be?” asks Perry. “When you think about it that way, it’s the most amazing thing to have been successful enough where people only deem it to be right if you win.” When this team takes to the field, they know they have a legacy to uphold and protect, one borne from those players working multiple jobs to pay the bills while growing the women’s game. For any one player the pressure could be too much. But as a united front, our Australian women continue to reach for new heights.