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Perry, Paine in mix for prestigious sporting award

Two Aussie stars to vie for honour not won by a cricketer since Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath in 2007

Star allrounder Ellyse Perry and Test skipper Tim Paine are in the mix to become the first cricketers in over a decade to take out the prestigious ‘The Don’ award , which will be presented next Thursday.

Perry was the standout in Australia’s successful Ashes cricket tour of England in July, contributing a fine double of 116 and 76 not out in the one-off Test and snaring 7-22 in the third one-day international.

The 28-year-old also became the first player in the world to achieve the 1000-run, 100-wickets double in international T20 cricket.

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Named after the legendary Sir Donald Bradman, The Don award is presented to the sportsperson or team whose performance or example most inspired the nation over a 12-month period.

The last cricketers to claim The Don award were greats Glenn McGrath AM and Shane Warne in 2007.

Perry, who is a finalist for the prestigious annual award for a second consecutive year, continues to reach new heights.

England captain Charlotte Edwards lauded Perry as "the greatest female player we're ever going to see" earlier this year.

“I’m incredibly honoured to be named as a finalist for the Don Award,” Perry said.

“Don Bradman’s name is obviously synonymous with Australian sport, and also Australian history. Bradman personifies the greatest ideals of sport and achievement, so to be nominated for an award named in his honour is very special.” 

Paine secured his nomination after his leadership was judged pivotal to Australia retaining the Ashes on English soil for the first time in 18 years.

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The wicketkeeper-batsman took over the captaincy in difficult circumstances following the ball-tampering scandal in South Africa, but he has earned plaudits for his work in leading the side both on and off the field.

Paine’s nomination cited his “character, resilience, dedication and integrity”.

“I am deeply humbled to have been selected as a finalist in the Don Award for 2019,” Paine said.

“Any award carrying the name of Sir Donald Bradman, has great meaning for any Australian cricketer. The list of previous winners shows the significance of the Don Award and I am incredibly proud to be shortlisted for 2019.”

The nominees’ performances were seen to reflect the standards of Bradman, the Sport Australia Hall of Fame’s first Inductee.

Perry and Paine will vie for the award with tennis grand slam champions Dylan Alcott OAM and Ashleigh Barty, 2018 NRL premiership hero Cooper Cronk, three-time Tour de France stage winner Caleb Ewan, 2018 world surfing champion Stephanie Gilmore, 2018 Bathurst 1000 winner Craig Lowndes OAM and swimming world champion Ariarne Titmus.

The 35th Sport Australia Hall of Fame Induction and Awards Gala Dinner will be held on October 10 at Melbourne’s Crown Palladium.