After missing the WBBL finals for the previous three seasons, Ellyse Perry will continue to play for Sydney Sixers for at least another season, serving as the team’s captain.

After placing fifth in each of the previous two seasons, the Sixers finished last season’s tournament in last place for the first time ever. They participated in the competition’s first four years, making it to the finals twice, winning in 2016–17 and 2017–18.

Perry easily led the Sixers in runs scored last season (358 at 35.80), but she only reached one half-century despite having a questionable strike rate of 91.32. Perry, though, has gotten Birmingham Phoenix off to a great start in the Hundred with 58 off 31 balls and an unbeaten 39 off 28 in her first two innings.

Later, she was dropped from Australia’s T20I team for the Ashes, and she remained sidelined for the current Commonwealth Games while she recovered from a stress fracture she sustained while playing in the ODI World Cup earlier this year.

Perry said, “The club has been such a significant part of my career, and I am especially proud of what the team has been able to achieve both on and off the field over the last seven years, especially in terms of engaging and inspiring lots of young girls and boys to be involved in cricket. I’m really looking forward to the challenge this season presents, and also the opportunity to play at home again.”

In the meantime, the Sixers will have a new coach for the upcoming WBBL season as Ben Sawyer was replaced by Charlotte Edwards, a former England captain. She said, “I am elated that Ellyse has re-signed with the Sixers, and am very excited about working closely with her to return the club to the finals in WBBL08.”

Phoenix team-mate Sophie Devine also appreciated her Perry as she said, “She is such a fantastic athlete. The way she has evolved her game as well. I know she has her critics around the shorter formats but what she has done these last two games she’s shown her class is permanent.”

On October 13, the Sixers will play the first three of their tournament matches against Brisbane Heat in Mackay before traveling to play Adelaide Strikers and Melbourne Stars.

On November 16, 18, and 20, they have three games left to play at the North Sydney Oval to finish their regular season.

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