Meg Lanning returned to the Australian captaincy after a five-month break to declare star batter Ellyse Perry had taken her game to a new level in her absence.
Considering Perry's confirmed status as one of the world's best, it is a huge boost to the Australian side ahead of a six-game ODI and T20 series with Pakistan before next month's T20 World Cup in South Africa.
Lanning was at the other end in two fruitful partnerships in early January, watching Perry in action in two WNCL games for Victoria when she scored 147 off 125 balls and 130 off 95 in the space of three days against NSW.
Three weeks prior, Perry made 72 not out and 75 for Australia in T20 internationals against India.
"She is something else at the moment with the bat," Lanning said at the launch of the Pakistan series in Brisbane, which begins at Allan Border Field on Monday.
"I watched a little bit from the other end the other week and ... very impressive. It looks very easy.
"She looks in control of her game and once she gets going and starts taking the bowling on there is no-one who can really stop her.
"It is very exciting for our team that she has gone to another level, which is pretty difficult in itself given how good she is.
"I think she is going to be a very major contributor for us, not just in this 50-over stuff but into the T20 World Cup as well."
Perry, 32, said self-improvement was always on her agenda.
"I absolutely love this game. We all do, but one of the biggest things that provides me with so much enjoyment is working on things and continuing to challenge yourself to get better," Perry said.
"Sometimes that happens in a short period of time and other times it takes years to evolve and understand. I have really loved the last little bit, but equally I have loved all the challenges along the way."
Perry played at the last T20 World Cup but missed Australia's win in the final at the MCG in front of a record 86,174 crowd with an injury sustained in the last group game.
"I was still very much part of the group and had the chance to be at that final on what was one of the most remarkable days for our team and the women's game," Perry said.
"Keeping that in perspective, I am certainly really looking forward to the next World Cup.
"Two years is a really long time in the women's game. It is progressing so quickly and developing, and not just in Australia but around the world.
"From a competition perspective I think it is going to be the tightest one yet. There are so many teams pushing for a spot in the final. It is going to be a challenge for us."
