This was published 4 months There is
Every week, Benjamin Law asks public figures to discuss the topics we’re told to keep private by having them roll a die. The numbers they land on are the topics given to them. This week he speaks with Ellyse Perry. The sportswoman, 34, is Australia’s youngest international cricketer, having made her one-day match debut in 2007 at the age of 16. She is also the only athlete to have played for Australia in both the Cricket and Football World Cups.
MONEY
Growing up, did you think you would make money from sports as an adult? Certainly not. When I was a child, playing sports was pure joy. For as long as I can remember, we would go to the yard or local park to be active: running, jumping, kicking, catching, and riding bikes. It was just a natural progression to get involved in organized sport once I got to school.
Was the lack of professional women’s cricket a factor? When I was growing up, women’s sports weren’t really a viable career option for female athletes. Even when I started at international level, it wasn’t a full-time option. During my first tour, all the girls on the team had other jobs or were studying. Our captain worked for Australia Post; there were physiotherapists, accountants and teachers. It has evolved over time and it continues to evolve.
You are now famous. Are you rich? (Laughter) In many ways, yes. I had the most extraordinary education. I live in a country that offers all kinds of opportunities. It depends on how you define being rich, but I certainly feel rich in life and experiences. I think that’s all that matters, really.
It was recently announced that you had signed a new three-year contract…one-year contract with the Sydney Sixers cricket team. How much of this decision had to do with money, and how much had to do with something else? It was all the other things. I’ve been with the Sixers since their inception and have loved every minute of it. The chance to – probably – finish my career (with them) was really exciting. It was about having the chance to stay involved for as long as possible.
It’s crazy that we should already be considering retirement at this age. What is the plan after cricket? I’ve had this fantasy for a while, where I pack up my car and take a road trip around Australia after I’m done playing, just to see more of our country. But other than that, I’m not really sure. I didn’t think too much about it.
What do you buy for yourself when you win a match? Oh, I don’t know if I’ve ever bought myself anything! Maybe an occasional chocolate bar from the servo on the way home.
RELIGION
You are not religious in the conventional sense. At the same time, sport provides community, culture, history and a sense of belonging. Is sport your religion, in some ways? I think so, but I’m not comfortable overestimating the importance of sports. In reality, it’s a game. But the way you described it – in terms of a community and a place to explore yourself and learn new things – I think it’s a wonderful, safe environment to do all of that. And the closest I get to feeling like you’re on a different plane are those rare, unique moments when you’re in the zone, when you feel like the way you’re playing is beyond your level of awareness. You do it in an instinctive way that requires no thought.
Musicians and artists talk about it too. Experts call it “flow” – an almost altered state. One hundred percent. And these moments are quite transcendent. It’s less about the game itself and more about this incredible interaction with everything around you. Everything seems to fit together for a set period of time; everything seems in sync and the whole world makes sense. No postulating about the future or ruminating about the past. You’re just fully present, which is really cool.
What are your commandments for being a good athlete? It’s very easy to overestimate your importance as an athlete. So for me, it’s about keeping perspective. Nothing is ever as important as it seems. Winning or losing with kindness is so important because sport has a funny way of evening things out over a long period of time. If you are too reactive to losing or winning, it will always come back and bite you.
BODY
What were your most serious injuries? I have been very lucky throughout my career. I’ve only had a few surgeries and been out a few times due to injury. Understanding how resilient the body is and how well it is able to bounce back is really cool in itself.
How do you protect your mental health? A lot of it is being active, being outside and using my body. I’m lucky that my job lends itself to it. Additionally, it can be easy to define yourself in terms of match results or how you performed on a particular day. But in reality, sport is just something we do: it’s not who we are. So a big part of staying mentally healthy is exploring life and pushing yourself to new places, to discover new things.
When do you feel most comfortable in your skin? When I am physically active.
When do you feel worst about yourself? At formal social functions.
Have you ever thought about getting a tattoo? Yeah.
What would it be? Probably the word “prapañca”.
Wait, what does that mean? It is a Sanskrit word meaning “mental proliferation”. I see this as a reminder to sport – but also to life in general – that we can only exist in the present moment.
What is your superpower? Hmm, I find this question really difficult. I can’t give the most humble answer.
Go for it. You are Ellyse Perry. Maintain perspective.
