Tayla Vlaeminck is jumping out of her skin to get back on the cricket field.
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The Strathdale-Maristians all-rounder is “about 80 per cent fit” as she recovers from her second serious knee injury in two years.
The knee injury didn’t deter the Melbourne Renegades from signing the 17-year-old for the upcoming Women’s Big Bash League season.
Returning to full fitness is the number one priority for Vlaeminck and the Renegades, meaning her on-field participation could be limited this summer.
“It was probably March when I found out about the Renegades,’’ Vlaeminck said.
“It was really good of the Renegades to sign me even though I’d injured my knee. I’m really thankful for what they’ve done and I’m really excited about playing with them.”
Vlaeminck has long been regarded as one of the best junior female cricket talents in Victoria.
18 months ago she was named the Cricket Victoria Commonwealth Bank Future Star after she helped Victoria to second place at the national under-18 championships.
She also played senior cricket with Plenty Valley in the Victorian Women’s Premier Cricket competition before the knee injuries slowed her progress.
“I’m hoping to be ready to go for the start of the WBBL, but we’ll have to wait and see,’’ Vlaeminck said.
“The Victorian under-18s have been awesome in the way they’ve helped me.
“I’m down in Melbourne sometimes twice a week and the coach and physio have been fantastic in giving me programs to work on.”
Vlaeminck’s role with the Renegades will be largely with the ball.
“Training with the Renegades starts at the start of December, so I’ll find out more then,’’ Vlaeminck said.
“I don’t expect to be batting much.”
The Renegades will be coached by Lachlan Stevens.
“We've had such an exciting off-season in terms of shaping our playing ideology and group dynamic for WBBL|02,’’ Stevens said.
“This team will play a brave, fun and exciting brand of T20 cricket. I can't wait to watch them go about their work.”
Even if Vlaeminck’s knee doesn’t allow her to start the WBBL season with the Renegades, she will travel with the squad to all games.
One of the highlights for Vlaeminck will be the Renegades’ double-header against the Hobart Hurricanes at the QEO in Bendigo on December 17-18.
“I’m really excited about the chance of maybe playing for the Renegades in Bendigo,’’ Vlaeminck said.
For now, the Year 12 student at Catholic College Bendigo has one more VCE exam to sit next week and more rehab on her knee before she can focus on taking wickets for the Renegades and the Strathdale-Maristians under-18s in the Bendigo District Cricket Association.
“Once the Renegades’ season is over I’ll come back and play with Strathdale in the under-18s,’’ Vlaeminck said.
“I don’t like watching, it’s shocking. I hope to be back out there sooner rather than later.”
