RCB's WPL reject Ellyse Perry flops with six-ball duck in Women’s National Cricket League

Ellyse Perry departs for a six-ball duck [Source: @imkevin149/x]

Ellyse Perry fell for a six-ball duck against Australian Capital Territory Women in match number 21 of the Women’s National Cricket League 2026 season. Batting at number three for the New South Wales Women’s team at the Phillip Oval in Canberra, the vintage Australian all-rounder got trapped in front by Capital Territory’s Zimbabwe import Anesu Mushangwe in the seventh over of the innings.

It is worth noting that Ellyse Perry recently opted out of the WPL 2026 season in India citing personal reasons. However, the legendary Australian cricketer has continued to feature in overseas and domestic competitions, having played the Women’s Super Smash in New Zealand earlier this month and in the ongoing Women’s National Cricket League 2026 at home.

Ellyse Perry registers rare failure in time away from RCB

Australia’s multi-World Cup winner Ellyse Perry arrived at the crease for the New South Wales Women at 28-1 in four overs after the early loss of vintage opener Alyssa Healy. However, Perry failed to lead New South Wales’ rescue act as the star all-rounder got trapped plumb in front by Australian Capital Territory leg-spinner Anesu Mushangwe for a six-ball duck.

While New South Wales slipped to 41-2 in a chase of 193, a century from opener Tahlia Wilson (115* off 115) and a fifty from number four Katie Mack (55* off 81) eventually staged their counterattacking recovery in Canberra.

Earlier in the match, the Australian Capital Territory Women bundled out for just 192 in 42.4 overs, despite featuring a couple of confident 60s from Paris Bowdler (61 off 87) and Georgia Elwiss (66 off 78).

For the New South Wales, Maitlan Brown (3-45) and Frankie Nicklin (3-48) picked up six wickets between them in their combined 18 overs. Ellyse Perry also chipped in with a wicket of a well-set Paris Bowdler, one that triggered a dramatic Capital Territory collapse from 154-2 to 192 all out.

Ellyse Perry since opting out of WPL 2026

Last month, Ellyse Perry pulled out of WPL 2026 mere days prior to the launch of the season. Originally slated to represent the RCB, the franchise replaced the legendary Australian cricketer with young Mumbai all-rounder Sayali Satghare.

Since opting out of WPL 2026, Ellyse Perry has played four matches for the Wellington Women’s team in the 2025-26 Super Smash season in New Zealand. In four innings, the cricketer aggregated 103 runs at an average of 25.75, and picked up six wickets which included a match-winning spell of 3-11 against Northern Districts at Mount Maunganui on December 31.

The 35-year-old also started off the ongoing Women’s National Cricket League 2026 with a near run-a-ball 46 for the New South Wales Women. Chasing 222 for a win against the Australian Capital Territory Women in Canberra on January 20 a couple of days ago, Perry struck six boundaries and a huge six in her 48-ball knock to help her side secure a comprehensive eight-wicket win in just 36.3 overs.