Mumbai, Mar 15: On her first tour to India with the senior women’s team, Australian fast bowler, Ellyse Perry has impressed with her genuine pace and swing. With two wickets in the first ODI and a fiver in the second, the 21-year-old has been instrumental in Australia’s wins against India in the series so far. Perry made her international debut in 2007 at the tender age of 16 and has since gone on to achieve big feats for the Southern Stars.

Having represented the nation in both cricket and football, Perry tells bcci.tv in a brief chat that she intends to pursue both sports for as long as she can.

Excerpts:

On whether this is her first tour to India

I have been here with the under-age tour as well been here with my home team before [New South Wales]. This is my first time with the Australian team.

On whether she prepared any differently for playing on the sub-continental wickets

Particularly talking about our batting and the way we approach facing spin bowling. it’s a lot different to how we play at home because the wickets are probably harder and faster and they don’t turn as much so that’s something that we have focussed on and prepared a little bit differently for. Bowling wise it is fairly similar to being back at home in terms of just bowling a really good line and length.

On how helpful this series is, in view of the World Cup later this year in the sub-continent

It will be helpful and I think that’s one of the key things that we have been focusing on throughout the series so far, in terms of truly making most of the opportunity that we have. A chance to play in these kinds of conditions on the sub-continent and not only that but having the opportunity to enjoy the wonderful culture and the food and the people in India.

On the history of New South Wales which has produced the likes of Sir Don Bradman, Steve Waugh and Michael Clarke

We have been very fortunate to have a lot to do with the many different male players including the current players and the past players, that’s a wonderful thing. You mentioned a lot of incredible names there and people who have offered a lot to cricket and still have lot to offer. So every opportunity that we get to meet with that kind of people is wonderful.

On whether she has worked with any male cricketers

I have done some batting work with Greg Chappell, it was not from NSW but I have had the opportunity to work with him. I think Michael Clarke is wonderful and the fact that he takes real interest in our team and I have spoken to him about general kind of cricket things and the way that he approaches the game; it is wonderful.

On her maximum speed

We don’t get clocked all that often but, probably somewhere around a 124 kmph is the fastest that I have bowled.

On the aspects of bowling that she focuses on - pace or swing

Both are equally important because it is nice to be able to bowl at a reasonable pace and it is probably harder to play a ball that moves as well. So there is not only one thing that I am focusing on, it is the overall kind of pace and swing that I work on.

On the bowling variations that she is working on

There are a number of things in terms of changes in line and lengths and obviously slower balls and different kind of balls and ways to swing and that kind of thing.

On whether she still pursues football

I still play football. We just finished a season back at home in Australia so I was involved in that and very much love still playing football. [...] if I can keep playing I would love too.

On the support that she got from her family

[I] am sure they are quite proud but more than that I think I owe a lot to them because they have been wonderful supporters of mine. They took me training and practices and helped me out a lot when I was younger and still help me out now. I still do cricket training with my dad and they have played a very pivotal role in my career so far and having the chance to work with them closely so that is what I have enjoyed so it makes it all the more special.

On her most memorable moment on the field so far

My most memorable moment is... honestly, I don’t have one I think just having the opportunity to play for Australia in two sports is something. And the thing that I love more than anything is getting to know the people I play with and playing in all different parts of the world and against all different people is always a fantastic challenge so that’s a highlight for me.