By James Buckley
NSW captain Ellyse Perry has been cleared to return from the torn hamstring that curtailed her Big Bash season.
Perry said she was "pretty much at full fitness" ahead of Thursday's second clash with New Zealand in Mount Maunganui as the Southern Stars look to bounce back from Sunday's five-wicket loss.
The three-match series across the ditch is the last competitive hit-out for Australia before the 50-over World Cup in England, which begins in June.
All-rounder Perry hasn't played since she tore her left hamstring against the Melbourne Renegades on January 20 – an injury that proved much worse than she first assumed.
Down and out: Ellyse Perry injured her hamstring in the women's Big Bash League.Credit: Getty Images
It cost her a spot in the WBBL final win over Perth and forced her to miss the three-match Twenty20 series against New Zealand in Australia last month. New Zealand won that series 2-1.
"I'm basically available now," Perry said.
"The plan's been with my rehab to not play again until I'm fully fit to do both [bat and bowl]. I've ticked off all the things that I've needed to and I'll be able to do both when I'm required."
Australia will prepare for the World Cup via a series of training camps in Brisbane over the next three months, following the conclusion of the ODI series against New Zealand.
"I'm sure she'll be involved in some capacity leading up to the World Cup, then she's certainly got a good chance of being involved in the World Cup too," Perry said.
"Ash is certainly extremely talented and I've been fortunate enough to have a first-hand view of that.
"She's obviously achieved a lot with the bat this season but she's a really exciting prospect with the ball too.
"She puts a lot of really good shape and revs on the ball and we don't have an off-spinner that's been in the team full-time for the last little bit either."