Ellyse Perry beats Shahid Afridi & Shakib Al Hasan to become first to 1000 runs, 100 wickets in T20Is

Australia all-rounder Ellyse Perry has become the first cricketer of either gender to reach the rare milestone of scoring 1000 runs and taking 100 wickets in the T20 format.

Perry (47 not out)  and captain Meg Lanning (43 not out) stitched together a match-winning partnership to guide Australia to a seven-wicket win against England in the second T20 of the Women's Ashes tour on Sunday. A four brought up the 1000-run milestone for the all-rounder, who had picked up her 100th wicket by dismissing England's Nat Sciver in the World T20 final in November last year.

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The 28-year-old, who hit four boundaries and a six, was adjudged player of the match.

"I guess it's lovely, but I wasn't aware of it. I actually think in T20 cricket at the international level, we probably play it as much as the men, so I have played a pretty big volume of games now - over 100," Perry was quoted as saying by ESPN Cricinfo.

"So I suppose when you've played 100 games you might get close to it. That's probably the only reason I'm there - because I've played a lot of games," she added.

Former Pakistani all-rounder Shahid Afridi (1416 runs and 98 wickets) currently stands closest to achieving the feat, while Bangladesh's Shakib al Hasan, with 1471 runs and 88 wickets, stands next in line to join Perry.

Australia Women have taken an unassailable lead 2-0 lead in the three-match T20 series. They will play the third and final match in Bristol on Wednesday. Ellyse Perry has been arguably the best all-rounder for Australian Women's Cricket Team since the past few years. She did her country proud with some outstanding performances against England Women's Team in their own backyard. 

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Perry had earlier taken 7/22 in the third One Day International as England were bundled out for a paltry score of 75 while chasing a target of 269. The 28-year-old even made an impact both with the bat and the ball against England in the ongoing Women's Ashes at Taunton. In addition, Perry even provided an early breakthrough for her team with the ball by scalping Tammy Beaumont before the stroke of lunch as the hosts were reduced to 1/1. 

Fans have appreciated the young cricketer for her impressive all-round performance.