Perry's double century cements her status as an Australian sporting great

Australia’s Ellyse Perry has confirmed her status as an all-time great with a record-breaking 213 not out against England in the day-night Ashes Test.

Perry’s maiden international century was as chanceless as it was magnificent, as she eclipsed Karen Rolton’s 209 for the highest Test score by an Australian woman and went third on the all-time list worldwide.

Crucially, she also put Australia in the box seat to retain the Ashes before the final leg of Twenty20 matches even begin, with England still trailing by 128 headed into the last day of the Test.

Perry’s double century capped off a remarkable period of growth for the 27-year-old, who was once considered a bowling allrounder but is now one of the world’s best bats.

“I suppose I’ve thoroughly enjoyed all the experiences I’ve had at this level of cricket,” Perry said.

“Initially I got an opportunity in the bowling ranks and that was really great and I loved it but I guess growing up I’ve always batted and always loved batting.”

Since the 2013 Ashes, Perry’s figures have been nothing short of incredible.

She has amassed more than 3000 runs at an average of 58.8 across all forms of the game combined to establish herself as a top-line batter.

“I have had a number of years in the side now and have had a chance to progress and develop and make the most of some opportunities that have gone my way,” Perry said

“It was great to have that chance today and make the most of it.”

Not content with becoming the first-ever Australian to score a goal in a FIFA World Cup and an Ashes century, the dual-international’s knock was also the highest unbeaten innings in the history of women’s Test cricket.

Her only blunder at North Sydney Oval came in the form of a premature celebration before her double ton.

She first thought she had reached 200 when she lofted a ball to the mid-wicket boundary off Laura Marsh on 194, only for replays to show the ball had bounced just short of the rope.

“It came out off the middle OK but the crowd just completely fooled me,” she said.

“I lost sight of it, there’s a bit of a drop-off where the boundary is so I didn’t really see where it landed but the guys on the hill kind of cheered like it was six so I went with it.

“It wasn’t until all my theatrics finished that the umpires mentioned they were checking to see whether it went for six.”

However she brought up the 200 in the following over when she whacked Sophie Ecclestone back down the ground three times to finish batting England out of the match and etch her name into the record books.