‘It was so much fun getting out there’ – Tayla Vlaeminck reflects on comeback journey after lengthy injury layoff

Tayla Vlaeminck. (Photo by Daniel Pockett/Getty Images)

Australia pacer Tayla Vlaeminck was undoubtedly one of the fastest bowlers in the sport and was considered one of the best up-and-coming talents for the Aussies. However, it all came crumbling down for her due to the recurrence of a stress fracture in the navicular bone of her foot. The injury put her out of contention for selection for two T20 World Cups.

She played her last game during the Women’s Ashes 2022 and 18 months to the day since she injured her foot, in one of the greatest stories, Vlaeminck made her muh-awaited comeback when she played for Australia A against England A in the T20 series. She also picked up the wicket of opener Bryony Smith as Australia A won the tie by 74 runs.

After the win at Trent Bridge, Vlaeminck came forward to reflect on her first game back and reveal what she felt when she got injured in 2022.

“It was so much fun getting out there, It’s been a while in the making… it was an lbw and I almost lost my voice. I shouted that loudly. I don’t know that the umpire had a choice, to be honest. The girls got around me and I suppose it makes it all worth it in those nice moments,” Tayla Vlaeminck was quoted as saying by ESPNcricinfo.

I definitely wouldn’t be back playing without them: Vlaeminck

Furthermore, Vlaeminck also reflected on how setting short-term goals and not focusing on cricket helped her get back into the game stronger. She also credited the Australian Ballet as one of the biggest factors in her return to the game.

“It’s one of the key reasons I’m back, tt was awesome because building calf strengthening stuff is literally their gym, so for me to go in there not talk cricket, not even have to talk to people about where I’m at or even see it at all, it was really refreshing. It took away the fact that I was doing rehab and just felt like I was training with another person,” Vlaeminck said.

“I walked in first day and some of the stuff I was like, ‘oh, this will be so easy,’ and I’d get two reps in and I’d be sweating and shaking. They were incredible. They just let me come in whenever I wanted, they dropped everything for me basically, so I definitely wouldn’t be back playing without them,” she added.