Fans erupt over Ellyse Perry's dominant WBBL century
Ellyse Perry has sent cricket fans into a frenzy after hitting a dominant first WBBL century – an unbeaten 59-ball ton to lift the Sydney Sixers over the Perth Scorchers.
A quiet night with the ball made way for the bat as the Australian allrounder led the Sixers to a six-wicket win with eight balls to spare at North Sydney Oval.
In a rematch of last year’s WBBL decider, Perth won the toss and elected to bat.
England international wicketkeeper Amy Jones top-scored for the Schorchers with a 29-ball 57 but her only help came from fellow top-order batters Elyse Villani (32 off 25) and Nicole Bolton (40 off 33).
Six players were out for for single-figure scores and Perth reached a below-par 9-167 from their 20 overs.
Perry bowled just one over in the innings and made up for lost time when she put the foot down in reply.
The 28-year-old recorded 14 fours and two sixes to almost single-handedly lead Sydney home.
Ash Gardiner (26 off 22) and South African Dane van Niekerk (32 off 22) were the only teammates to assist her but they made sure to take a back seat.
Perry held all Scorchers bowlers accountable, including hitting Emma King for a six and two boundaries in the 10th over.
But her crowning moment was the final ball of the night – a four to bring up her century and the win.
The Sixers finished on 4-171, Perry’s 102 runs accounting for almost 60 per cent of the total and earning plenty of praise:
👏 No surprises that tonight's Sixers Player of the Match is @EllysePerry following her stunning 59-ball century!
Special mention to @danevn81 who was also superb with both bat and ball.#smashemsixers #WBBL04 #WATCHME pic.twitter.com/rQk6bJvvHV
— Sydney Sixers WBBL (@SixersWBBL) December 7, 2018
We will look back at Ellyse Perry in 30 years and say she has changed cricket forever in Australia. #WBBL04
— Tom Morris (@tommorris32) December 7, 2018
Superstar not just of cricket but Australian sport @EllysePerry @SixersBBL #RealDeal 👍🏏
— Jim Wilson (@JimWilsonTV) December 7, 2018
Congratulations @EllysePerry, what an innings. 🙌🏼
My 11yr old son has found a new favourite player. All class.— Scott Murphy (@Scott_Murphy75) December 7, 2018
Ellyse Perry is easily the best cricketer in Australia #AUDvIND #WBBL04
— Jason Smith (@jasons250) December 7, 2018
Ellyse Perry just bringing up a classy 102* . She makes it look so easy @SixersWBBL 👏🏼 #WBBL #smashemsixers
— Alana Baldi (@Alana__Baldi) December 7, 2018
“It was a nice batting deck” @EllysePerry modest after her #WBBL04 ton!
— Cricket Australia Fan (@CricketAustFan) December 7, 2018
Ellyse Perry, yet another ton…..#canplay
— geoff (@aussieblonk) December 7, 2018
How good is @EllysePerry brilliant innings for the win. #WBBL04
— Dragonlord (@dragonlord2912) December 7, 2018
What an innings by @EllysePerry the best player in the world and the best of all time a pleasure to watch 😍
— jamie maloney (@swans2311) December 7, 2018