Prolific Perry surpasses Kohli, Williamson

The rich vein of form of Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry has stunned opposition sides during the 2017 Women’s World Cup, but it isn’t the first time the superstar has hit such a prolific purple patch, reports cricket.com.au. Perry’s five consecutive half-centuries between Australia’s matches against New Zealand and South Africa in the tournament have been nothing short of remarkable, even though the all-rounder has achieved the feat not just once but twice previously in her career. As recently as September last year, Perry compiled another series of five-straight half-centuries, finishing unbeaten in Australia’s final match against Sri Lanka in Colombo before compiling 50 or more in each of the four matches she played against South Africa in Canberra and Coffs Harbour.

No player in the history of the game, male or female, has achieved what Ellyse Perry did this week https://t.co/FVAXY8Pzsh #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/X2uO9RJPrG

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) July 17, 2017

Scores of 77 not out, 93 not out, 95 not out, 69 and 56 ensured Australia went through those matches undefeated, with Perry named player of the match in two of those fixtures. That run came after a period against England and the West Indies in 2014-15 where she added a career-high six-straight half-centuries, and a further 11 from 14 matches to catapult herself to second on the ICC ODI batting ranking, marginally behind Aussie captain Meg Lanning.

?? A magnificent 70 by Ellyse Perry was the highlight of the @SouthernStars innings! Watch all her classy shots again! #WWC17 pic.twitter.com/f3X3gpEzu3— Cricket World Cup (@cricketworldcup) July 10, 2017

Her third separate streak of five or more consecutive fifties, completed on Saturday, means she's the first player in ODI history, male or female, to achieve the feat. Former England captain Charlotte Edwards scored five consecutive half-centuries twice in her career, a feat that has been matched in the men's game by current India skipper Virat Kohli and his Kiwi rival Kane Williamson.

4th CONSECUTIVE FIFTY IN #WWC17#EllysePerry's all-round performance (60* & 2/37) helped Australia Women beat India by 8 wickets. #ausvind pic.twitter.com/idbtsrjr06— Ellyse Perry (@EllysePerryFC) July 12, 2017

And with two matches left in the tournament, Perry even has the all-time women's record of India's Mithali Raj (seven consecutive fifties) in her sights. For the record, the overall mark is the nine straight fifties scored by Pakistan's Javed Miandad in 1987.Perry's successive fifties in the Women's World Cup71 (91) vs New Zealand 66 (97) vs Pakistan 70 (86) vs England 60* (67) vs India 55 (58) vs South Africa