Ellyse Perry backs Oz to 'kick-start' women's World T20 defence on back of Proteas win

Australian all-rounder Ellyse Perry has said that her team can kick-start their women's Twenty20 World Cup title defence on the back of Tuesday's six-wicket win over South Africa.

Perry and Jess Cameron (27 off 24) smashed an unbeaten 60-run partnership to steer the Southern Stars to victory, which was sealed with Perry's sixth four of the match, after coming together with the situation looking dire.

According to the Sydney Morning Herald, although all of Australia's remaining group fixtures effectively became 'must win' after they lost their opening match to New Zealand, however, the nature of the comeback victory encouraged Perry enough to suggest their tournament was up and running.

Stating that victory is very important, Perry said that in tournaments like the World T20, where the competition is cut-throat and there is not much time between matches, momentum is very essential, adding that she believes their win over South Africa will kick-start their campaign.

Australia will now face Ireland on Thursday, where a win would well and truly put their title defence back on track although Perry insists that issue has not been raised in team meetings.