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Ellyse Perry shatters record in 'class' century amid Meg Lanning comeback

The Aussie star has returned to the domestic league in extraordinary fashion.

Aussie star Ellyse Perry (pictured left) surpassed the league's top score of the season after blasting a remarkable century amid Meg Lannings' (pictured right) return to Victoria. (Getty Images)
Aussie star Ellyse Perry (pictured left) surpassed the league's top score of the season after blasting a remarkable century amid Meg Lannings' (pictured right) return to Victoria. (Getty Images)

Aussie star Ellyse Perry has surpassed the top score of the season after blasting a remarkable century in just 114 balls in a blistering knock for Victoria in the Women's National Cricket League. Victoria are taking on the ACT Meteors for the second time this week at Manuka Oval with Perry missing the Tuesday win.

This time Perry strode to the crease to open the batting with her Victorian and national team partner Sophie Molineux. However, Molineux was out for a golden duck with the Meteors getting off to a brilliant start.

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Although this did not deter Perry, who showed why she is considered as the greatest female cricketer ever having blasted 18 boundaries and five sixes on her way to 145 runs off 137 balls. Perry's remarkable century was brought up in just 114 balls as Victoria powered to 354 off 50 overs.

Tess Flintoff and Meg Lanning helped out, but Perry's innings once again left cricket fans in disbelief. Her century saw her surpass Nicola Carey's knock of 113 against South Australia last year.

The 33-year-old looked unstoppable at Manuka Oval, but her innings came to an end after a direct hit run-out from Katie Mack. Perry was carrying over her strong form from the One Day International and T20 series against India, which saw her hit a six to win the second T20 match.

Her top score was 75 across the five white-ball games, but she has returned home in stronger touch as she continues her legacy in the white-ball format. Aussie fans were left once again near speechless as Perry continues to break records.

Meg Lannings returns for Victoria

Lanning chipped in with 22 runs from 15 balls and her announcement she would be playing for Victoria ahead of Tuesday's game delighted fans. On Tuesday, Lanning's innings powered Victoria to a nine-wicket win, chasing down the ACT's total of 195 in just 27.5 overs.

The 31-year-old hit 11 fours in a classy knock - her first since stepping away from cricket towards the end of the WBBL season. Lanning has taken a number of breaks for personal reasons throughout her career, and stepped away once again late last year. She had been captaining the Melbourne Stars in the WBBL, but opted to sit out the final few games in a development that left fans saddened.

Ellyse Perry walks off.
Ellyse Perry (pictured) smashed the biggest score of the Women's National Cricket League so far for Victoria.(Photo by Dylan Burns/Getty Images)

That came after she announced in November that she was retiring from international cricket, but would continue in T20 and domestic leagues. Her latest break had fans fearing that Lanning was considering retiring from all forms of cricket, but her return for Victoria has put that to bed. She is also due to take part in the Women's Premier League this year with the Delhi Capitals in India.

"She's taking a few days out for some personal reasons," Melbourne Stars coach Jonathan Batty said of Lanning's latest break in December. "We're reassured she's all OK, which is the most important thing, but we're giving her that time and space and respecting her privacy in what she needs to do. We're taking it on a game-by-game basis at the moment and we'll give her all the time she needs to make that decision but she's definitely out for the next couple of games."

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