Yet another accolade as Perry concludes incredible tour

Australia were a dominant force that took almost all before them in this women’s Ashes series and every step of the way, Ellyse Perry was there imposing herself on proceedings.

The superstar allrounder was – to the shock of precisely no one – named player of the series following Wednesday’s final T20I of the multi-format series in Bristol.

She topped the run scorers, with 378 runs at 94.50, and was the series’ most prolific wicket-taker, with 15 scalps at 12.86.

For a seven-game series across all formats, it’s a remarkable effort from a remarkable athlete.

Even in the only game Australia lost – Wednesday’s dead rubber in Bristol – Perry still excelled with a career-best T20I knock of 60no.

"It's really nice to be recognised in that manner but even nicer to be taking the Ashes home with us - as far as I'm aware in our most dominant display since multi series format," Perry said on Wednesday.

"It's been a special tour for us. In the grand scheme of things we have been brilliant this series.

“We had a quick moment after the game to recognise that in the same vein - in the same way, you're only as good as your last game. It feels like we missed a trick tonight.

"But England are a very good side ... in some ways it's a nice reminder we have to keep working to make sure we're still dominant when it counts.

"We are keen to recognise what is a special series for us with contributions across the board and we're away from home, so there’s a lot of reasons to celebrate tonight."

First ODI, Leicester, July 2

England 177 (Natalie Sciver 64, Sophie Ecclestone 27; Perry 3-34) lost to Australia 8-178 (Alyssa Healy 66, Beth Mooney 25; Ecclestone 3-34) by two wickets in the first Ashes ODI at Leicester

In what turned out to be a low-scoring thriller, a stunning new-ball display from quicks Perry and Megan Schutt handed Australia a dream start to the opening ODI of the multi-format series, leaving England's top-order in disarray at 4-19 before Natalie Sciver's fighting 64 helped the hosts reach 177.

Alyssa Healy (66) then looked poised to guide the Australians to victory – despite key wickets falling cheaply at the other end – but her dismissal in the 26th over the opened the door for England.

A brilliant spell from 20-year-old left-arm spinner Sophie Ecclestone (3-34) piled the pressure on Australia's lower order, before the calm head of experienced Queenslander Delissa Kimmince ultimately steered the tourists home in the 43rd over.

Australia lead 2-0

Image Id: 0AF70CC3337F476D8362075FBEDF3599 Image Caption: Perry celebrates one of her three wickets in Leicester // Getty

Second ODI, Leicester, July 4

England 217 (Tammy Beaumont 114, Danni Wyatt 25; Delissa Kimmince 5-26) lost to Australia 6-218 (Ellyse Perry 62, Beth Mooney 43no; Anya Shrubsole 3-47) by four wickets second Ashes ODI at Leicester

Perry top-scored with 62 as Australia reached their target of 218 with 28 balls to spare. Queensland pair Beth Mooney (43no) and Jess Jonassen (31no) saw the tourists home after a middle-order wobble.

Earlier, Kimmince's maiden international five-for restricted England, despite an outstanding 115 from opener Tammy Beaumont.

Australia lead 4-0

Image Id: F4234838051F4175B6D7289CF225E7E1 Image Caption: ODI No.2 at Grace Road saw Perry show off her skills with the bat // Getty

Third ODI, Canterbury, July 5

Australia 7-269 (Meg Lanning 69, Alyssa Healy 68; Natalie Sciver 3-51) defeated England 75 (Laura Marsh 21, Fran Wilson 17; Ellyse Perry 7-22) by 194 runs in the third Ashes ODI at Canterbury

If the first two games held nervy moments, there were none in the third as Perry took the best ever ODI bowling figures by an Australian woman to put her team on the cusp of retaining the women's Ashes in Canterbury.

After half-centuries to Healy and Meg Lanning took Australia to 7-269, Perry's remarkable spell of bowling reaped 7-22 from 10 overs as England were bowled out for 75 – their lowest-ever total against Australia –leaving the hosts' campaign in tatters.

Australia lead 6-0

Only Test, Taunton, July 18-21

Australia first innings: 8-240(dec) (Ellyse Perry 116, Rachael Haynes 87; Katherine Brunt 2-48)

England first innings: 9-275(dec) (Natalie Sciver 88, Amy Jones 64; Sophie Molineux 4-95)

Australia second innings: 7-230 (Perry 76no, Molineux 41) Match drawn

Perry showed she is built for the longest format of the game, due to her textbook technique and peerless concentration. She relished another chance in the whites, striking her second Test century, following up with an unbeaten 76 in the second as time lost to rain and a dogged effort from England’s tail saw the match end in a draw.

The match was also notable for Sophie Molineux’s flawless return to international cricket as the Baggy Green debutante made an impact with bat and ball, while Rachael Haynes was unlucky to miss out on her first Test ton.

Australia lead 8-2

First T20I, Chelmsford, July 26

Australia 3-226 (Meg Lanning 133no, Beth Mooney 54; Sophie Ecclestone 2-42) defeated England 9-133 (Lauren Winfield 33, Katherine Brunt 29no; Megan Schutt 3-25) by 93 runs in the first Ashes T20I at Chelmsford

England had never been beaten at their ‘Fortress Chelmsford’ but that changed as a record 133no by Lanning, the highest T20I score by a woman, set the hosts a record chase.

Australia got the job done with the ball to seal an outright series win. While Lanning took player of the match honours with her hundred, Perry nonetheless made a mark, removing England opener Danni Wyatt and No.3 Tammy Beaumont to finish with 2-11 from her three overs.

Australia lead 10-2

Image Id: 5C8E2CBFB83D43D0A497A1D3540C67CD Image Caption: Perry in full flight during the first T20I in Chelmsford // Getty

Second T20I, Hove, July 28

England 8-121 (Tammy Beaumont 43, Sophie Ecclestone 17no; Jess Jonassen 2-19) lost to Australia 3-122 (Ellyse Perry 47no, Meg Lanning 43no) in 17.5 overs by seven wickets in the second Ashes T20I at Hove

If Chelmsford was record-breaking, high-octane cricket, Hove was an exhibition of clinical cricket.

Restricting England superbly with the ball, Perry and Lanning’s unbeaten efforts saw Australia cruise after a wobbly start to the chase. For a fourth time in six matches, Perry was named player of the match after a brilliant unbeaten 47.

Australia lead 12-2

Image Id: 7E765FDB99694CEAA075B7C76301E264 Image Caption: Perry stars with the bat in another Player of the Match performance // Getty

Third T20I, Chelmsford, July 31

England 5-139 (Lauren Winfield 26no, Katherine Brunt 25no; Tayla Vlaeminck 1-9) defeated Australia 8-122 (Ellyse Perry 60no, Alyssa Healy 28; Brunt 3-21) by 17 runs in the third and final Ashes T20I at Bristol

It wasn’t the finish Australia wanted, as England hit back to claim their first win in the final game of the series.

But Australia were determined it wouldn’t undermine a dominant series and Perry still made her mark, first with a brilliant throw from the deep to run out England captain Heather Knight, then scoring a career-high 60no with the bat.

Australia win 12-4

CommBank Ashes Tour of England

Australia squad: Meg Lanning (c), Rachael Haynes (vc), Nicole Bolton, Nicola Carey, Ashleigh Gardner, Alyssa Healy, Jess Jonassen, Delissa Kimmince, Sophie Molineux, Beth Mooney, Ellyse Perry, Megan Schutt, Elyse Villani, Tayla Vlaeminck, Georgia Wareham

England T20 squad: Heather Knight (c), Tammy Beaumont, Katherine Brunt, Kate Cross, Sophie Ecclestone, Georgia Elwiss, Amy Jones, Laura Marsh, Nat Sciver, Anya Shrubsole, Mady Villiers, Fran Wilson, Lauren Winfield, Danni Wyatt

Australia defeated England 12-4

First ODI: Australia won by two wickets

Second ODI: Australia won by four wickets

Third ODI:  Australia won by 194 runs

Only Test: Match Drawn

First T20: Australia won by 93 runs

Second T20: Australia won by seven wickets

July 31: England won by 17 runs