Australia’s dynamic duo of Meg Lanning and Ellyse Perry are soaring in the world cricket rankings as they stamp all over England in the women’s Ashes.
Already top of the ICC T20 batting standings, captain and opener Lanning has jumped two spots to No.1 on the ODI table after scores of 104 and 85 as Australia rallied to win the one-day segment of the Ashes series 2-1.
Allrounder Perry’s pace bowling played a key role in the third and deciding ODI and she has leapt six places to fifth in the bowling rankings.
But it’s Perry’s batting that has really been eye-opening and her 193 runs in the ODI series lifted her five places to a career-high eighth ranking.
The great thing for Australian cricket is Lanning and Perry could be around for ages yet.
Lanning recently turned 23 and Perry is only 24, having been the youngest player ever to represent a senior Australian cricket team at the age of 16.
Put the two attack-minded batters together and the result is often cricketing dynamite.
Both Lanning and Perry score quickly, especially the skipper.
In 2012 Lanning broke the record for the fastest 100 in an ODI by an Australian cricketer, needing just 45 deliveries.
After a first-game loss, the pair helped turn around the ODI series against England with partnerships of 132 in 23 overs and 85 in 13 overs.
“I really enjoy batting with `Pes’ (Perry),” Lanning said.
“We’re in pretty important positions, three and four.
“Hopefully we can keep making it happen. It’s really important for the side.”
Coincidence or not, dual international Perry appears to have become an even greater force since losing her place in the Australian women’s soccer squad.
She extended her women’s world record of successive ODI half centuries to six and has notched seven fifties in her last eight innings, with the other knock yielding 48.
She has flourished since being moved up the order near the end of Australia’s last tour of England two years ago.
In her last 11 ODI innings, during which she bas batted at either four or five, Perry has amassed 656 runs at an average of 109 scoring a minimum of 45 in all of those bar one, when she was out for a duck.
“It’s been really nice to have an opportunity the last couple of years to bat a bit higher and contribute to the side,” Perry said.
“It probably makes me a better player all round. I tend to feel more comfortable when I’ve scored runs and I’m out there bowling.”
ELLYSE PERRY’S GOLDEN RUN OF ODI BATTING FORM
In her last 12 ODI innings she has scored 45*, 65*, 0, 90*, 53, 72, 64*, 74*, 78 48, 67.
MEG LANNING THE WORLD’S NEW NO.1 RANKED WOMEN’S ODI BATTER
Innings 39, runs 1747, average 47,21, strike rate 97.76. Hundreds: six, Fifties 8.
(Stats: Cricinfo)
