Ellyse Perry returns to Birmingham Phoenix for 5th season
What's the story
Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry will be returning to Birmingham Phoenix for a fifth season in the Women's Hundred tournament. The franchise announced her retention on Wednesday. Perry has been with the Phoenix since 2022, scoring 545 runs at an impressive strike rate of 127.03 and contributing with the ball when needed.
Player's statement
Perry expresses excitement for upcoming season
Perry expressed her excitement about returning to Birmingham Phoenix for the 2026 season. She said, "The Hundred has been such a wonderful addition to the cricket landscape, and provided so many wonderful opportunities for the further development of the women's game." She also praised Phoenix's passionate fanbase and called it a privilege to experience home support at Edgbaston.
Coach's remarks
Phoenix's head coach praises Perry's impact
Birmingham Phoenix Women's Head Coach, Ali Maiden, praised Perry as a "once-in-a-generation talent." He said her impact goes beyond the numbers on the scorecard and that she embodies professionalism, skill, and competitive spirit. Maiden added that they are aiming to build an exciting squad and having someone like Perry who embodies those characteristics is priceless for their long-term success.
Team's journey
Birmingham Phoenix's past performances and future plans
Birmingham Phoenix finished second from the bottom in the last two editions of the Women's Hundred. Their best result came in 2021, the inaugural season, where they lost to Oval Invincibles in the Eliminator. This year's tournament will be the first under private investment with teams required to finalize their retentions by January 16 ahead of auctions in March.
Career highlights
Perry won't be playing WPL this season
Perry has been with Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) for all three seasons of the Women's Premier League (WPL). She was retained for ₹2 crore for this season and is the second-highest run-scorer in WPL history. However, Perry withdrew from the WPL, citing personal reasons. The WPL announced in a release that Indian all-rounder Sayali Satghare joined the RCB as a replacement for Perry.