show me:

Perry backs CA after missed T20 payday

3 minute read

Australian cricketer Ellyse Perry says there was a missed opportunity to play in a lucrative Indian tournament but is looking forward to a busy 12 months.

ELLYSE PERRY of NSW leaves the field after being dismissed during the WNCL Final match between New South Wales and Western Australia at Blacktown International Sportspark in Sydney, Australia. Picture: Mark Nolan/Getty Images

Ellyse Perry has no beef with Cricket Australia despite missing the chance to play in a lucrative Twenty20 tournament in India.

The star all-rounder defended CA on Tuesday after her employer apologised over a "communication breakdown".

Perry and national teammates Meg Lanning and Alyssa Healy were expected to play in the T20 Challenge this week, which is seen a precursor to a potential Indian Premier League for women.

However the Australian trio, among the best players in the world, were not included when squads were announced last month.

A leaked email revealed the players' involvement in the series had been discussed as part of talks between CA and the Board of Control for Cricket in India over the scheduling of a men's one-day international series.

CA denied using the players as pawns and Perry supported her employer.

"Yeah we missed an opportunity there but it was just one of those things that was very much out of our control," Perry said.

"From my perspective, I don't think there is any criticism of Cricket Australia because they've only been wholly supportive of growing the women's game.

"We lead the world in terms of having the most professional set up.

"We've got an incredible competition in the WBBL and I think everything they do is very much in the best interest of the game for female and male players.

"There was definitely a breakdown in communication there but to be honest I'm not really across it, I was in the air when it all happened.

"It was just one of those things."

Perry has left powerhouse NSW and signed with Victoria for the upcoming domestic season, to be with her Melbourne Rebels-bound husband Matt Toomua.

"They'll be absolutely fine without me," Perry said.

"It's a wonderful thing and healthy thing for the sport in a lot of ways that we've got players taking up opportunities in different places, really wanting to further develop their own careers.

"There's a chance to do that now which speaks a lot about how the game has professionalised and evolved and we're really ambitious to do well."