Ellyse Perry has been recognized for her outstanding performances across the last 12 months in the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) annual awards.

Ellyse, 27, has been awarded the inaugural Rachael Heyhoe Flint Award for Cricketer of the Year. The award has been re-named in memory of the late Rachael Heyhoe Flint, former England captain and one of the pioneers of women’s cricket.

Ellyse made history in November when she compiled an unbeaten 213, the highest Test score by an Australian woman, surpassing Karen Rolton’s 209* against England in 2001. She also finishes the year as the number one ranked all-rounder in One Day Internationals and the second ranked ODI batter.

She has also been named in the ICC Women’s ODI Team of the Year alongside injured Australian captain Meg Lanning.

“It is an absolute privilege to take the Rachel Heyhoe Flint award this year. It being the first year of the award named after such a significant and prominent figure in the Women’s game and I think she’s going to be sorely missed around the place, It is an absolute honour to receive something named after her for the first time.”

“It is really special and something that I will hold very close for the rest of my career.” Ellyse said.

The sides were selected by the same panel, which had voted for the annual individual awards, and included former Australian cricketers Mel Jones and Lisa Sthalekar as well as Sports Editor of the Age, Chloe Saltau. The panel took into consideration player performances from 21 September 2016 to early December 2017.

Cricket Australia’s Chief Executive Officer, James Sutherland, congratulated the award winners.

“This is an outstanding recognition for Ellyse. In her 10th season representing Australia, it comes as no surprise that someone with the qualities that Ellyse possesses has received the award in Rachael’s honour.

“Rachael was a pioneer in the women’s game, having played in the first ever women’s match at Lord’s against Australia in 1976, and she formulated the concept of a Women’s Cricket World Cup, two years ahead of the first men’s tournament.

“We are very fortunate to have such wonderful role models within the Australian Women’s Cricket Team and I look forward to seeing them continue to improve. The sky is the limit for this team.”