Ellyse Perry, a celebrated all-rounder from Australia, has expressed that she hasn't dismissed the possibility of competing in the 2028 Olympics, where cricket will be reintroduced after a 128-year hiatus. By then, Perry, widely regarded as one of the greatest female cricketers, will be 37 years old, with T20 cricket included in the Los Angeles Games.
Perry, currently leading Birmingham Phoenix in The Hundred, mentioned that she doesn't have a set date for her retirement. She indicated that she hasn't approached her career with a fixed endpoint in mind, suggesting that if she is still performing well and available, she would love to participate in the Olympics.
Having achieved all major cricketing accolades with the dominant Australian team, Perry was part of the squad that won the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2022. However, she did not play any games due to a back injury. Speaking to BBC Sport, Perry reiterated that while she hasn't specifically targeted the Olympics, she would be thrilled to compete if circumstances allow. She views the inclusion of cricket in the Olympics as a fantastic opportunity to grow the sport further.
Last season, Perry was slated to captain the Phoenix but missed the entire campaign due to a knee injury. In her absence, the team struggled, failing to win any of their eight matches. This season, they have faced early setbacks with losses against London Spirit and Oval Invincibles. Their upcoming match is against Trent Rockets in Nottingham.
Perry acknowledged the ups and downs inherent in franchise cricket, highlighting the ongoing opportunity to play exciting and entertaining cricket. She noted the positive atmosphere within the team and the broader competition, highlighting its success in the English cricket scene.
Looking ahead, Australia is set to defend the T20 World Cup in Bangladesh in October, followed by the Ashes series against England on home soil early next year. The previous Ashes, a multi-format series held in the UK in 2023, ended in a draw, allowing Australia to retain the urn. Since then, England has maintained an unbeaten record in their home series against Pakistan and New Zealand.
Perry remarked on England's impressive form and the emergence of talented young players in the domestic circuit. She suggested that while Australia has often excelled in critical moments, the competitive gap between the two teams has never been significant. Perry emphasised that all teams are now playing consistently and have a clear vision of their playing style.