No Perry, no problem for Australia?

• Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has been ruled out of the remainder of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup after suffering a hamstring injury against New Zealand
• Perry’s injury is the second to hit Australia after Tayla Vlaeminck was ruled out on the eve of the tournament with a stress fracture in her foot
• Hosts Australia have not named a replacement player but captain Meg Lanning is confident they have the depth needed to win

That’s the question the world is asking Australia after Ellyse Perry was ruled out for the remainder of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup 2020.

The all-rounder suffered a right hamstring injury while fielding in Monday’s win over New Zealand and won’t recover in time for Thursday’s semi-final, nor Sunday’s Final should Australia get there.

The hosts are in a position they’ve never been in before. Until now, Perry has been involved in all 36 of their T20 World Cup fixtures since the tournament’s inception in 2009.

She can bat, she can bowl and is electric in the field. And if anyone knows what it takes to win the trophy, it’s her.

In what could be the biggest week in Australia’s women’s cricket history, news of Perry’s injury has sent shockwaves through the world of sport.

But considering how the tournament has gone so far, the Aussies themselves don’t appear too worried.

“We’re obviously really sad for her. She’s been a great player for this team for a long time,” said opener Beth Mooney. “Whilst we haven’t got an exact replica of Ellyse Perry, we’ve got genuine match-winners all the way down our squad.”

Mooney’s right. In fact, she’s one of them.

Buses, billboards and TV advertisements - Perry may have been the poster girl for the 2020 tournament but it’s others who should be taking the credit for propelling them to the last four.

After the opening-night loss to India, Rachael Haynes stepped up to keep the hosts’ tournament hopes alive with a half-century against Sri Lanka, while Alyssa Healy and Mooney combined for 151 to fire them past Bangladesh.

There were sighs of relief when Perry was passed fit for the do-or-die clash with New Zealand, but in the end she was barely used at number six.

Instead, Mooney again steered the ship with a well-made 60 to put 155 on the board, while Megan Schutt and Georgia Wareham stepped up to the bowling plate with three wickets apiece.

Australia have clearly got a squad who can deliver but captain Meg Lanning is confident they can step up again.

“Ellyse has been a massive part of our squad and team for a long time and you can’t replace her, but you need a squad to win a World Cup,” she said.

“You can’t rely on one or two players and use the same 11 every game.

“We’ve said we’ve got a lot of depth and I believe that. We’re just going to have to use it.

“We’re going to have to use the depth we’ve got — that’s just the reality of elite sport, unfortunately.

“I have full confidence that whoever comes in her place can play a role.”

But even if Australia are successful without her, there’s no doubt there’ll be a huge Ellyse Perry-shaped hole at what is shaping up to be a historic Final at the MCG on 8 March.

And it’s not just Australia who would miss her either, with New Zealand captain Sophie Devine taking the time after her team’s group stage exit to lament the loss of one of the game’s greatest stars.

“It’s really hard to see anyone go down at a world event at any point, but especially someone like Ellyse,” she said.

“She’d have her leg amputated for her not to take to the field.

“We know what she brings to the women’s game and it’s a real blow.

“I know it definitely will be for Australia, but the world loses out on a great player.”