To see the Matildas in training at Sydney yesterday...

The young defender is preparing for the Matildas match against Canada at the Sydney Football Stadium on Friday before the squad jets off to Vietnam for the 2008 AFC Women’s Asian Cup.

Being an international footballer is tough enough but also being the youngest ever cricketer for your country takes excellence and expectation to a whole new level.

If she’s stressed, worried or burdened then she’s not showing it. There are rumblings that she will have to choose between the two sports at some point and that the two codes will each seek to sway here. For the moment the Sydney-based youngster doesn’t see a problem.

Speaking ahead of training today at Macquarie University, she told au.fourfourtwo.com: “I really don’t see it as a tug of war. It’s more a case of being fantastically lucky enough to have the opportunity to play both sports at quite a high level.

“It’s just really about enjoying both sports as much as I can and getting the most out of it. At the moment I really don’t think about a decision that’s looming or anything. It’s something I’d like to continue as long as I can.

“There’s a little bit of time-management skills involved (juggling cricket and football duties) but a challenge I like to take on.”

There’s the small matter of a Cricket World Cup next year and HSC exams before that. And as such a high-profile performer, there is also the pressure to market both her sports. It doesn’t bother her at all.

She said: “All the publicity for women’s sport recently has been great and hopefully that continues to improve. If I can help out in any way then I’m happy to.

“This last year has been a bit of a whirlwind one for me but I’m really lucky in the sense that I have fantastic support, parents and friends that keep me balanced.

“I stil have a social life and can be a normal kid.”

As for the Canada match and then the tournament in Vietnam, Perry said: “Canada is a good opportunity to see where we’re at. All the girls have been training well and preparing well.

“Then I think it’s (the Asian Cup) is one that all the girls are really looking forward to. There is a certain amount of expectation. Hopefully making the final and winning it would be our goal.”

Coach Tom Sermanni said: “She’s a fabulous football player. She is a player in the last six months who has really kicked on.

"I think probably the best thing that she does is pick things up very, very quickly - whether that’s technique, a concept or whether it’s a particular role she has to fulfil in the team.

“She is a mature and a terrific ambassador for both sports. I’m not sure if she’ll start against Canada at this stage.

“If you picked one person to represent both sports then you couldn’t pick a better person than Ellyse.

"I think that’s why ourselves and cricket are probably united in not putting her under any pressure whatsoever.

"We’ll do whatever we can for as long as we can to help her play football and cricket.”

To see the Matildas in training at Sydney yesterday...