On September 13, 22-year-old Mahsa Amini was arrested in Tehran by the “morality police,” an...
Although high-end beauty brands would probably prefer we all believe that luxury skincare is...
38-year-old mum and administrator, Leilani Lailey, had trained on and off for years but when...
Navigating perineal trauma can be a significant physical and mental challenge. Sophie Walker from...
A forgotten feeling is flowing through me. For weeks (maybe months?) now, my brow has been...
Few sports capture the nation’s attention quite like cricket. So synonymous is the sport with our summer here in Australia, that it’s woven itself into the very fabric of society. It’s why our days come to revolve around the action taking place on the pitch, be it a local game or watching our national team. From the colourful atmosphere of zinc and streamers, to backyard cricket that brings an entire neighbourhood together, cricket is part of our sporting identity and naturally, the stars of the game are revered as national heroes.
One such name that garners recognition is Ellyse Perry. The young star first made a name for herself both in cricket and soccer, but since hanging up her boots to focus solely on cricket, Perry has continued to prove her dominance. And now, Perry can add yet another accolade to her name as she set new records as the all-time leading run scorer and wicker taker in Women’s Ashes history.
Usual class from Ellyse Perry 🙌 #Ashes pic.twitter.com/KyuwvtVLvX
To nab the record, Perry surpassed England’s Charlotte Edwards’ record of 1,532 runs in Ashes matches, by scoring 41 runs in the second innings to bring her total to 1,552. These runs have been scored across 39 matches in T20, One-Day and Test formats. And if all that wasn’t enough cause for celebration, Perry even went a step further to take her 68th wicket in Ashes cricket, overtaking Katherine Blunt’s previous record of 67.
Perry has come to dominate the sport as an all-rounder, capable with both bat and ball. And while her achievements on the field are incomparable, it comes after the cricketer wasn’t selected in Australia’s T20 team. Going into the Test, Perry said she didn’t have a “point to prove”.
“If there is an opportunity and I’m in the side I really want to play a role for the team. We’re in a really great position with Australian cricket with the depth and talent that we have. It puts everyone on their toes in terms of form and performances and pushing the game forward,” she said. “So I’m certainly no different.”
Still, Perry’s record-breaking achievements are cause for celebration and show the skill and talent that continues to be cultivated in women’s sport here in Australia and why these sports deserve urgent attention and equal representation. Just recently, Channel Nine announced it would not be broadcasting the women’s ODI World Cup that’s set to begin in New Zealand this March on free-to-air TV, despite broadcasting this year’s men’s T20 World Cup and next year’s men’s ODI World Cup.
Ellyse Perry pierces the gap! The Aussies have moved to 2-42, extending their lead to 82 runs #Ashes pic.twitter.com/o7QqwUckxj
Many were quick to criticise the decision which speaks volumes about how far women’s sport has to go in receiving equal recognition to their male counterparts and the inherent bias in sport. Australian batter and wicketkeeper Alyssa Healy said of the decision: “It’s a little bit of a slap in the face to say that we’re not commercially viable,” adding, “That someone doesn’t want to stick their hand up and say, ‘we’re going to put this on telly so that everyone can watch it.’ It’s a little bit hard to take in that regard.”
These thoughts were compounded by Sarah Styles, director of Victoria’s Office for Women in Sport and Recreation, who added: “Absolutely and utterly the wrong call by Channel 9 as broadcast partner for ICC’s events.” Styles added: “Decisions like this by Channel 9 don’t stack up against reason. #1 ranked team, independently shown to be one of Australia’s favourite teams, backed by some of Australia’s largest advertisers like Commbank and Cadbury, out-rates the majority of sport content.
Hobby jogger and pickle enthusiast, Jess is a writer committed to sharing the human stories that lie at the heart of sport. When not staring down the blank page of a word document, you can find her getting a little lost and a little cold out on the trails. Previous work featured in GQ Australia.
Sign up for workouts, meals and more!
While some celebrities step into the public eye only when the red carpet beckons, a rare few...
In a piece penned for The New Yorker in 2019, writer Jia Tolentino brought the term “Instagram...
Now that summertime is just around the corner, you're probably not craving soup. That said,...
How often do you change your sports shoes? A survey conducted on behalf of HCF Health polled 2500...
If there’s one thing we know with certainty, it’s that sport has the power to unite the world....
Who should be athlete of the year? What about young achiever? It's time to cast your vote
For the first time in the history of the Boston Marathon, runners will be able to register as non binary in the gender section.
"Playing year around, the mental side of your game is really important."
“It’s a very sensitive subject, because you won’t hear those stories unless players come out and tell those stories.”
She’s already lighting up the world basketball court, but Ezi Magbegor is only just getting started. As she shares with us, it’s all about the long game and going at your own pace
23-time major champion Serena Williams stunned audiences with a gutsy display of athleticism to defeat No 2 seed Kontaveit in a thrilling 7-6, 2-6, 6-2 victory.
Plus, she lets us peek inside her beauty bag.
For tennis champion Serena Williams, she shines any time she takes to the court. And in what could be her last Grand Slam tournament, her legacy is being reflected in her outfit, too.
Advertising Enquiries: sales@womenshealth.com.au
Advertising Enquiries: sales@womenshealth.com.au
Subscription Enquiries: subs@paragonmedia.com.au