Tayla Vlaeminck comeback
Australia A have announced their full squad for the upcoming three-week cricket tour of India. Among the players selected is Tayla Vlaeminck, who is set to return to the international stage after a string of injuries. Australia will be banking on Vlaeminck’s experience in the upcoming matches.
Tayla Vlaeminck comeback: Back in Business
The past few years have been incredibly challenging for the athlete from Bendigo, Victoria. In 2024, Vlaeminck was forced to withdraw from the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup in the United Arab Emirates after injuring her right bowling shoulder on the field. What made the situation even more serious was that Tayla had only just recovered from a previous injury, this time to her left shoulder, sustained during the 2023 Ashes series against England. The injury also forced Vlaeminck to miss the 2023-24 Women’s Big Bash League. Her absence from the field for almost 18 months ultimately cost her a national contract with Cricket Australia.
However, with those setbacks now behind her, Tayla Vlaeminck is ready to make her comeback and begin a new chapter in her career. The upcoming matches in India will be the first step on her road back to full fitness. She will not be heading to India underprepared, though: Tayla spent half of the winter in the United Kingdom, training with a Yorkshire-based team. Vlaeminck also played in the three-day Green v Gold match in Sydney in April.
Tayla Vlaeminck made a positive impression in her first match after returning to action. The pace bowler delivered six overs in each innings, finishing with figures of 1-15 and 0-11.
Vlaeminck will be joined in the Australia A squad by 23-year-old Darcie Brown, who was previously replaced in the senior national team by Queensland bowler Lucy Hamilton. The full Australia A squad consists of 15 players who will travel to New Chandigarh, where they will face India A in three Twenty20 matches. The players will then head to Mohali for an ODI before finishing the tour with a four-day match in Dharamsala.
Why is Tayla Vlaeminck’s Comeback Important?
Tayla Vlaeminck is one of the strongest bowlers in the women’s game, capable of sending the ball down at speeds of up to 120 kilometers per hour. With that kind of pace, Vlaeminck can be a major weapon for the national team. However, a whole catalogue of injuries, often suffered at the worst possible moments, has made the Victorian’s career extremely stop-start. The word “comeback” has been used far too often in connection with Tayla Vlaeminck.
On her WNCL debut for Victorian Spirit, Tayla claimed two wickets for 34 runs from seven overs, earning praise from coaches and spectators alike. It was not long before she was representing Australia at the international level. One particularly memorable performance came during an under-19 match in South Africa in 2018, when Vlaeminck tore through the opposition with figures of six wickets for 27 runs.
Unfortunately, that promising start was followed by a run of bad luck with injuries that slowed down her career. Although Vlaeminck earned a Cricket Australia contract and featured in various international matches, there is still a lingering sense of missed opportunities. The athlete is already 27 years old, and the foot injury and shoulder dislocations she has suffered over the past few years are likely to continue affecting her.
However, if she can adapt to the new circumstances without losing the power and pace of her bowling – and, most importantly, avoid further injuries – there is every chance that Tayla could return to major international cricket tournaments in the future. Right now, this is the crucial moment for her to put all the pieces back together.
What Did the National Selector Say About Tayla Vlaeminck’s Comeback?
Australia’s National Selector Shawn Flegler commented on Tayla Vlaeminck’s comeback, explaining what was behind the decision not to renew her contract and what could be next for the bowler:
“It was a difficult decision. Tayla had been contracted by Cricket Australia for several years, but she had been unable to play for an extended period because of injury while remaining part of the national squad. We came to the conclusion that the best option for Tayla right now is to step back into domestic cricket, rediscover her form and try to put together a full season. If everything goes well, she will be in contention for selection for the national team. For now, though, it is great to see her back in the green and gold.”
Flegler also said he was pleased to see Darcie Brown back in action alongside Vlaeminck. He hopes that both players will bring valuable experience to the Australia A squad and help the younger cricketers develop by giving them the opportunity to watch and learn from two outstanding fast bowlers.
