Australia’s star women cricketer Ellyse Perry has pulled out of the inaugural edition of ECB’s brainchild ‘The Hundred’ citing personal reasons. The 30-year-old was set to represent Birmingham Phoenix in the 100-ball tournament scheduled to get underway on July 21.

“We are obviously very disappointed that Ellyse Perry has had to withdraw from the Hundred due to personal circumstances, but we completely understand her decision and wish her all the best,” Beth Barrett-Wild, head of the women's competition, was quoted as saying by 'ESPNcricinfo'.

Perry’s withdrawal from this tournament will be a huge blow for Birmingham Phoenix as they are already without the services of New Zealand’s Sophie Devine, who pulled out of the league last month.

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While India’s teen sensation Shafali Verma was named as Devine’s replacement for the Phoenix, Perry’s replacement is yet to be announced.

Apart from the all-rounder, her Australia teammates Alyssa Healy, Meg Lanning and Rachael Haynes have also pulled out from the Hundred owing to their upcoming home series against India Women that is slated to begin from September 19.

As far as the India women players are considered, five players have signed up for the 100-ball tournament that includes the likes of Shafali, Smriti Mandhana, Deepti Sharma, Jemimah Rodrigues and T20I skipper Harmanpreet Kaur.

The women's Hundred will begin on July 21 and will run until August 21.

(With PTI Inputs)