By Tara Murray
It’s a different feeling this time round for Plenty Valley’s Tayla Vlaeminck as part of a Australia’s squad for the T20 Women’s Cricket World Cup that begins next month.
Vlaeminck was the bolter in the squad for the 2018 World Cup and made her debut during Australia’s championship run.
Having been part of the Australian set-up ever since, Vlaeminck knows what to expect coming into this world cup.
“It was a completely different phone call,” she said. “I vividly remember that first phone call, I was sitting in the back of a cab when he [the selector] called, I think I said seriously about 40 times, I couldn’t believe it.
“Now it’s pure excitement. I was lucky enough to witness what it is like to win a World Cup and to be with the girls.
“Hopefully back it up here in Australian conditions, hopefully in front of family and friends, it’s going to be unreal.”
Vlaeminck made her T20 debut in the last World Cup and since then has played for her country in all three formats.
The fast bowler said with experience behind her, she would like to step up and play a bigger role this year.
“Last time I was just happy to be there,” she said.
“Obviously you want to play and I was pumped to be training with the girls and experiencing what it is like to be on tour with an elite bunch of athletes.
“Hopefully this time round I can contribute a bit more on the field. I have to train hard the next couple of weeks to get a game in that strong team.” Vlaeminck said it would be pretty special to play in front of their home crowd.
The Australians will enter the event as the favourites having played strong cricket for the last few years.
Vlaeminck said they were happy to roll with the expectations.
“We’re really happy with where the squad is at and we’re excited to be playing at home.
“We have nothing to lose, we’ll go out there and give it everything we’ve got like we always do.”
Vlaeminck is currently recovering from an ACL strain, which has seen her miss games with Victoria since Christmas.
Before that, she had put together one of her most continuous runs of cricket, after a number of serious injuries early in her career.
Vlaeminck said Cricket Victoria physical preparation coach Noel McCarthy had a massive influence on helping getting her body right.
With her star rising, the 21-year-old hasn’t had the opportunity to play with Plenty Valley much in recent times.
She said she loves any opportunity to play with them.
“They kick-started my career down in Melbourne to be honest” she said.
“They were really good when I was living down in Bendigo and I had to rely on my parents to drive me everywhere.
“They would let me rock up and play in the ones whenever I wanted to and I didn’t have to train, they were awesome in that sense.
“Whenever i can get back there and play for them is awesome. It’s good to be able to play with some of the young kids.
“That was me four-five years ago looking up to some of the other players. It’s a really good experience to chat to them.”
