Aussie footy starlet, Ellyse Perry targets another cricket World Cup trophy

Ellyse Perry has represented Australia in both the Cricket and Football World Cups.

Zee Media Bureau/Jayanta Oinam
Dhaka: Emulating legends like Sir Vivian Richards is a hard task. In fact, the West Indian great was, for a long time, probably the only person to have represented a country in the highest competition of both cricket and football. However, a certain Australian starlet has represented the Tasmanian nation in both the show-piece events. Ellyse Perry, who is playing as a genuine all-rounder for the defending champions in the 2014 ICC World Twenty20, has achieved this rare feat with remarkable success. Making her presence felt, the 23-year-old has contributed heavily with both bat and ball in this edition of Women`s World Twenty20. So far, she has scored 67 runs while chipping with six wickets in her team`s cause. Australia will play against West Indies on February 3 in the first semi-final in Mirpur. A title here in Bangladesh will make them the undisputed champions, winning the crown for an unprecedented third successive time. Besides being a gifted cricketer, Perry also represented Australia in the 2011 FIFA Women`s World Cup in Germany. However, unlike their cricketing success, the Matildas were knocked out of the competition by Sweden after losing 3-1, with set-piece specialist Perry scoring the lone goal for Australia. But it`s not always easy for the Sydney FC defender to don the double-role. In 2010, she was forced to choose between cricket and football as the ICC World Twenty20 and AFC Women`s Asian Cup happened at the same time. She chose cricket and returned a champion. Interestingly, had she opted football, she would still be returning home with a crown, as the Matildas also lifted the continental trophy.