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AAP
AAP
Sport
Anna Harrington

Perry could be used as specialist batter

Allrounder Ellyse Perry could be used as a specialist batter in Australia's next World Cup match. (AAP)

Australia could deploy allrounder Ellyse Perry as a specialist batter to ensure she returns from a back injury in time to feature in their Women's World Cup semi-final.

Perry missed Friday's win over Bangladesh after a back spasm forced her from the field for most of Tuesday's group stage victory over South Africa.

Australia finished on top of their group unbeaten and will play on either Wednesday or Thursday against a yet-to-be-confirmed opponent.

Coach Matthew Mott is confident that would give Perry enough time to recover, but given the 31-year-old's batting strength, noted she could forgo bowling if required.

"Her record as a batter speaks for herself. She averages 50," Mott said.

"It wouldn't be ideal, but she would definitely be considered as a batter alone.

"It does throw up different selection conundrums but Ellyse Perry would make the team as a batter or a bowler so that's probably the definition of a true allrounder."

Mott said Perry was "on the improve" and a "lot freer" after significant time in the pool.

As of Saturday, she hadn't recommenced running, with plans to ramp up her activity in coming days.

"A player of her experience, she knows her body quite well now," he said.

"She's obviously overcome some pretty serious injuries in the last couple of years.

"She'll have to get through a battery of tests. Certainly there's return-to-play protocol that she'll have to meet, she'll have to meet some certain criteria and be able to perform close to her best.

"A player like Pez is someone that you can put trust in that she knows what she's capable of and I'm sure that if she's not capable of performing to a satisfactory level then she'll make the call herself.

"But all things considered, it's looking quite positive. We've had a really good break, we've been quite conservative in her management, so we're confident with the extra couple of days that gives her time to be ready."

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