Ellyse Perry says there is not enough cricket being played in the peak of summer for women. (Getty Images: Matt King)
Ellyse Perry says the fact that Australia's women will not play international or WBBL cricket during the school holidays could hurt the growth of the game.
Australia's only home matches in the middle of summer through to the end of 2029 are white-ball games against Ireland in the first half of December 2028.
Perry says it is important to "carve out" a period during the peak of the Australian summer for women's matches.
Ellyse Perry has called for Australia's women to be given regular cricket in the peak of summer, fearing the current schedule could stunt the game.
Australia will play nine white-ball matches at home this summer against Bangladesh and New Zealand, with all confined to October and March.
The Australian team has not played a game at home during the summer school holidays since January 2025, while the WBBL also now falls entirely during the school term.
Part of the issue for officials has been India's WPL moving to the January window, with a common fear it will eventually extend into most of February.
Australia's only home matches in the middle of summer under the current program, which runs until the end of 2029, are white-ball ones against Ireland in the first half of December 2028.
Ellyse Perry feels that the lack of cricket in the school holidays will hurt the women's team. (Getty Images: Darrian Traynor)
Australian players have long pushed for a regular spot in the summer, much like the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne and New Year's Test in Sydney are part of the national calendar.
"It's the best time of year to play across that school-holiday window," Perry said.
"People are at home, everyone's head is in cricket too. There is a lot on the schedule in both the men's and women's game. It's a nice time to go out and watch.
"But also for them to be inspired to play themselves and be involved in cricket, it's really important.
"I don't know what the perfect window is, but I think somewhere in the peak of the Australian summer is important to carve out.
