Australia's Ellyse Perry first winner of ICC Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award
Thursday 21 December 2017 08:59, UK
Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry has been named the inaugural winner of the Rachael Heyhoe Flint award for ICC Women's Cricketer of the Year.
The award was introduced this year in memory of Heyhoe Flint, former England captain and ICC Cricket Hall of Famer, who died at the age of 77 in January.
Perry was selected by the voting academy, which includes members of the media and broadcasters, with New Zealand's Amy Satterthwaite second and India's Harmanpreet Kaur finishing third.
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She was an integral part of the Australia side which won the inaugural ICC Women's Championship in November 2016 and had an impressive set of performances as they retained the Ashes against England.
Perry scored 213 not out and took three wickets in the one-off Ashes Test and accumulated 905 runs and 22 wickets in the voting period.
"2017 has been a very special year for women's cricket with many milestones reached, so it is a privilege and honour to receive the Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award. I'd like to acknowledge the incredible work and legacy Rachael has left behind for the game, she is certainly missed," Perry said.
"A special thanks to Cricket Australia for the incredible amount of support they provide to the Australian Women's Cricket Team and the way in which they continue to lead the development of women's sport in Australia.
"Also, my team mates and our support staff, thanks so much for making it so enjoyable and memorable to tour and represent Australia. And finally, to my family and friends for their continued and unwavering support, it is truly appreciated."
Satterthwaite was named ICC Women's ODI Player of the Year Award, while Perry's Australia team-mate Beth Mooney took ICC Women's T20 Player of the Year and ICC Women's Emerging Player of the Year honours.
