The Women's Hundred: Ellyse Perry named as Birmingham Phoenix captain ahead of 2024 season

Star Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry is set to lead Birmingham Phoenix in the upcoming edition of The Women's Hundred. The 33-year-old all-rounder's return to Edgbaston is a massive boost for the franchise after she missed the entire 2023 edition of the tournament due to an injury.

With 330 wickets for Australia across formats, she is one of the most accomplished and high-profile players in the sport. Her international career, spanning 16 years, shows her skills and determination to perform at the highest level.

For Birmingham, securing Perry's services is a bonus, given her recent heroics in the Women's Premier League (WPL) 2024 season. The all-rounder who played for champions Royal Challengers Bengaluru Women (RCB-W) was the leading run-scorer of the tournament, scoring 347 runs at an average of 69.40. She also chipped in with seven wickets.

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Incredibly honoured, says Perry

With a wealth of leadership experience captaining Sydney Sixers in the Women's Big Bash League, she becomes the first player to lead 100 WBBL matches. Her strategic acumen and ability to inspire teammates will be an asset for Birmingham.

“I'm incredibly honoured to be named Birmingham Phoenix captain. It is a wonderful club which means a lot to me. It was disappointing to miss out on joining the group last season, so I'm excited to be back this year. I'm looking forward to joining the whole playing squad, both our existing and new players, to work towards a successful season for the Phoenix,” Perry said as quoted by ESPNcricinfo.

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Last season, Birmingham Phoenix failed to win a single match, finishing bottom of the table after losing seven out of eight games. With Perry being handed over the captaincy duties and the retention of fellow overseas star Sophie Devine, the franchise will be eyeing a dramatic turnaround.

The addition of Perry's leadership and match-winning abilities could propel Birmingham Phoenix to new heights. The Aussie international's presence alone is a statement of intent from the club, aiming to change their fortunes in the upcoming edition.