Australia has suffered a huge blow as their all-rounder Ellyse Perry has been ruled out of the semifinal clash against West Indies due to a back injury. Perry complained of a back issue during the league stage match against South Africa after bowling only three overs and also didn’t bat.

Perry has thus far scored 146 runs in six matches for Australia at an average of 48.66 and a strike rate of 70.87, with the help of one fifty in the ongoing ODI showpiece. Furthermore, she has taken five wickets in six matches at an average of 27.40 and an economy rate of 4.72.

“Unfortunately she (Perry) just ran out of time to prove her fitness,” Australia captain Meg Lanning said on Tuesday.

“We will keep assessing her if we are to progress in the tournament so unfortunate for her and the team, obviously a big blow, but we feel like we’ve got some good depth to be able to cover it and we’re going to have to do that tomorrow.”

Lanning is hopeful that Perry will be fit for the final if Australia beat West Indies in their semifinal clash.

“We haven’t looked too far ahead, we’ll keep assessing her if we are to progress but the team and squad is very focussed on tomorrow,” Lanning added. “I’m sure there’s work going on in the background to get her up if we were to get through.”

Meanwhile, Ellyse Perry was awarded the Player of the Match when Australia had defeated West Indies in the league stage match. Perry had returned with impressive figures of 3-22 and had accounted for Deandra Dottin, Hayley Matthews, and Kycia Knight.

Australia had won all of their seven matches in the league stage and they would aim to continue the good show in the semifinal.

Australia will face West Indies in the first semifinal at Basin Reserve, Wellington on Wednesday.