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At a critical juncture in the first Women’s ODI, part of Women’s Ashes 2025, between Australia and England at Sydney, displayed her athleticism and sharp reflexes to complete an outstanding catch and dismiss England captain Heather Knight.
Ellyse Perry’s exceptional catch dismisses Heather Knight
Facing Ashleigh Gardner, Knight attempted a🎃n ambitious slog sweep to a delivery tossed wide of off-stump. The ball, however, was too wide for the shot, forcing her to drag it leg-side. Thisꦬ resulted in a mistimed top edge that ballooned towards deep midwicket.
Perry, stationed on the boundary, showed excellent anticipation and judgment as the ball hung in the air. She covered significant ground, sprinting forward from the deep to position herself for the catch. With the ball dipping rapidly, Perry executed a well-timed dive, ensuring she was in perfect control as she completed the catch just inches above the ground. The effort required both precision and fearlessness, underscoring Perry’s elite fielding skills. This catch not only ended Knight’s steady knock of 39 runs off 48 balls but also gave Gardner her first wicket in the match, keeping England’s score in check at 92/3.
Here’s the video:
The England captai𒊎n is gone after a superb catc🥃h from Ellyse Perry 🙌
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
England’s struggles with the bat
Electing to bat first, England managed a modest total of 204 in 43.1 overs, unable to counter Australia’s disciplined bowling attack. The innings began on a shaky note, with Maia Bouchier and Tammy Beaumont departing early, leaving England at 61/2 by the 13th over. Knight held the innings together with a composed 39 off 48 balls, but her dismissal to an exceptional catch by Perry off Gardner marked a turning point. Middle-order contributions from Amy Jones (31 off 30) and Danni Wyatt-Hodge (38 off 52) added stability, but frequent wickets prevented England from capitalizing on their starts. Gardner was the standout bowler, claiming 3/19, ably supported by Kim Garth and Annabel Sutherland with two wickets each. Extras accounted for a significant 25 runs, hinting at Australia’s occasional lapses in discipline.
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Australia’s steady start in the chase
In pursuit of 205, Australia Women adopted a measured approach, reaching 122/3 in 21.4 overs. Although opener Phoebe Litchfield fell cheaply to Lauren Filer, captain anchored the chase with an authoritative half century, striking eight boundaries. Perry (14 off 23) and Beth Mooney (28 off 28) offered useful contributions before being dismissed, with Sophie Ecclestone and Lauren Be🐭ll picking up crucial wickets. Despite the fall of three wickets, Healy and Sutherland (10 off 18) ensured stability, keeping the required run rate manageable however Sutherland also lost her wicket. With 70 runs needed from 25 overs, Australia remains in firm control of the game, leveraging their depth in batting and the solid platform set by 🧸Healy.
