Perry shines in Aussies’ Ashes tour match

Ellyse Perry has continued her sensational run of form with the bat, joining Alex Blackwell in smashing centuries as the Southern Stars drew their two-day women’s Ashes tour match against the ECB Academy.

The Australians finished the match on 7-377 on Sunday after cruising past the Academy’s 9-279 declared on day one.

Perry (110) and Blackwell (115) boosted the middle order with a 173-run partnership, while Jess Jonassen hit nine fours and two sixes on her way to 79 not out when stumps were drawn.

Blackwell said the match had helped the team adjust to the longer-form game as they prepare for their one-off Test in Canterbury starting August 11.

“I myself focus on scoring off a lot of balls in one-day and T20 cricket, and so to be out there knowing that you’re facing a few balls and not really moving the game,” she said.

“To know that there’s plenty of time in the day and there’s going to be much easier periods of play to capitalise on (is good).

“We saw that as the bowlers came back on for their second spells and third spells that it got much easier.”

Beth Langston was the only multiple wicket-taker for the English side, finishing with 2-34 off 15 overs.

Spinning allrounder Jess Jonassen was the standout with the ball for Australia, taking 3-15.

The Australian team will now move to Beckenham in London for a three-day tour match against a combined ECB Academy and Kent boys’ side, starting on Wednesday.

The Southern Stars lead the Ashes series 2-1 after the one-day segment.

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