Allrounder will play for Australia while football's domestic decider is taking place on Sunday
Perry picks Australia over W-League final
Superstar allrounder Ellyse Perry has confirmed she will play for the Commonwealth Bank Southern Stars in their third and final Women's KFC T20 INTL against India on Sunday, despite being named in Sydney FC's squad for the W-League final the same day.
Perry, who famously plays both cricket and soccer, has had to balance her commitments to both sports throughout her career.
Sydney FC will meet Melbourne City in the W-League final at 2pm in Melbourne, around the same time the Southern Stars will be fighting to snap a three-game losing streak in the 20-over game.
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Perry was named in Sydney FC's squad in a release put out by the club on Friday, but it has been their practice to name all contracted players for each match this season.
Cricket Australia confirmed on Friday evening the newly-crowned Belinda Clark Award winner had made herself available for the match to be played at the Sydney Cricket Ground at 2.30pm AEDT.
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Asked about Perry's conflicting commitments immediately after the Southern Stars' defeat on Friday – before the allrounder confirmed her availability – Australia captain Meg Lanning said Perry's code-clash conundrum was a good thing for women's sport.
"I’m sure Ellyse will come to a decision that’s the right one," Lanning said.
"I think it’s great for women’s sport. It’s great that she’s such a good player at both I guess that you can play both.
"I’ve got no problem with it. It’s just the way it is."
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It's not the first time Perry has been faced with such a conflict. The 25-year-old left Canberra United four years ago after the W-League club asked for her total commitment to the code.
Perry captained the Sydney Sixers in all 16 of their Rebel Women's Big Bash League matches this season, taking them to the final, while also managing to play for Sydney FC on five occasions.
On December 13 she even played for both clubs on the same day, skippering the Sixers against the Brisbane Heat before turning out for Sydney FC in their 4-2 win over Perth Glory.