Ellyse Perry

At 16, Ellyse Perry made her international debut for Australia in both cricket and football, a double life that marked her out as one of the great all-round athletes. Cricket became her main stage: she has won ODI World Cups, including in 2013 and 2022, and a string of T20 World Cup titles as part of Australia's long era of dominance.

A right-arm seamer with a dangerous inswinger, Perry took the new ball for Australia for well over a decade while developing into a genuine batting force, particularly in Test matches, where her 213 not out against England in 2017 remains a landmark of the women's game. She became the first woman to combine 5,000 international runs with 300 international wickets across formats.

She has captained and starred for the Sydney Sixers in the Women's Big Bash League, winning titles with the club, and she remains a senior presence in Australia's set-up even as younger players take on more of the bowling load.

Off the field, Perry has been a persistent advocate for women's sport, and few careers in cricket can match her length at the top. As a mentor and veteran, she remains a central figure in Australian cricket, her worth measured in trophies, runs and wickets alike.