Perry stars with bat in Australia win but picks up knee concern
Ash Gardner cracked a rapid half-century as Ireland were overwhelmed despite a strong start to the chase
AAP
25-Jul-2023
Ellyse Perry's 91 was key in Australia setting up a strong base • Getty Images
Australia 321 for 7 (Perry 91, Gardner 65, Mooney 49, Dempsey 4-54) beat Ireland 168 (Hunter 50, Wareham 3-33) by 153 runs
Ellyse Perry suffered a minor knee injury as she helped lead Australia to a convincing 153-run one-day international win over Ireland in Dublin.
Perry top-scored for Australia with the bat, hitting 91 from 99 balls in their 321 for 7, before being kept off the field with a left knee issue as the tourists had Ireland all out for 168.
Perry was able to move freely after the match, but medical staff will monitor the 32-year-old ahead of Australia's final match of the tour against Ireland on Friday.
It was one of the few sour notes for the tourists, who put in a complete performance in their first game since the drawn Ashes.
Perry hit nine fours and three sixes in her innings, combining with Beth Mooney (49 off 62) for a 106-run fourth-wicket stand after Australia fell to 58 for 3 in the 11th over when Georgina Dempsey claimed two wickets in two balls.
Ashleigh Gardner also hit 65 off 39 balls for the visitors, in an innings that included seven fours and three sixes. The allrounder took a particular liking to Cara Murray, taking 20 off one over from the legspinner for three sixes over the legside.
Australia were slightly better with the ball, after an untidy Ashes series. Spinner Georgia Wareham claimed 3 for 33, while Tahlia McGrath and Jess Jonassen each took two wickets to have Ireland all out in 38.2 overs.
After Ireland were 127 for 2 in the chase with some early hitting from Gaby Lewis (37) and Amy Hunter (50), the wickets fell quickly as Australia took 7-41.
"It was nice to get out there and just put a good performance out there," captain Alyssa Healy said. "That's what we've been asking for for the last six weeks. And we haven't done it consistently. It was nice to see everyone have a proper crack today and do really well."
Irish-born star Kim Garth was also a stand out, taking 1 for 9 from six overs with the new ball.
"She did fantastic," Healy said of Garth. "She could have bowled 10 on the trot there. It's great to see her back here, she is smiling so much. To see her enjoy her cricket, it's some really special to see."