Australian Southern Stars all-rounder Ellyse Perry will use two games against the West Indies in Canberra this week as the launching pad for a massive summer.
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Perry is continuing to balance her commitments with the national women's cricket team, the NSW Breakers in the Women's National Cricket League and Sydney FC in the W-League.
The 23-year-old will captain a Cricket Australia XI in two, Twenty20 matches with the West Indies at Chisholm Oval on Tuesday and Manuka Oval on Wednesday.
Perry and Southern Stars teammate Jess Cameron have been included in the squad featuring the best up-and-coming talent in the country, including ACT Meteors spinner Rhiannon Dick, as part of their rehabiltation from injury.
Perry took another step to her recover from a knee injury when she played for the Breakers in last weekend's series against the ACT Meteors at Blacktown.
She played in the Twenty20 fixtures on Friday and Sunday, but missed last Saturday's one-dayer so she could turn out for Sydney FC.
The Sky Blues also took centre stage in their top of the table showdown with Perth Glory in Perth on Saturday.
"I played the first round of the national league last weekend and it was good to be back fully fit batting and bowling," Perry said.
"It's nice to have another opportunity in the next couple weeks."
Perry has been named in the Southern Stars squad for both the five T20 internationals and four ODIs against the West Indies.
She will take a break from the W-League during that two-week period, but should be available for the Sky Blues for the finals in December.
She has also put her hand up to be involved for the Matildas at next year's women's World Cup in Canada in June after not featuring under previous coach Hesterine de Reus.
Perry's former coach at Sydney FC, Alen Stajic, has taken over full-time.
"It's a really great opportunity with the World Cup coming up next year in terms of being selected in the squad for that and the training camps after the W-League finishes," Perry said.
"I'd love to be included in those, but right now it's about playing well for Sydney and having a good season there.
"I don't think [playing both] is draining because if it was I wouldn't enjoy it as much as I am.
"The challenge of it really excites me.
"What's really exciting is the continuing development and improvement in both of the leagues and the top quality players it's attracting here from overseas and the amount of local talent that continues to develop."
The first three of the Southern Stars' T20 internationals against the West Indies will be played as double-headers before the Australian men's T20 games, and will be shown live on Gem.
"It's another great opportunity for the Southern Stars to develop and to make more people aware of us," Perry said.
"The West Indies are one of the best T20 sides in the world and they're really exciting and play some fantastic cricket.
"Just the air of excitement around cricket at this time of year with the male domestic competition starting, our competition starting, the Australian men's team playing Tests over the summer, it's a great time to be playing at home."
