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In a setback for both the Melbourne Renegades and women’s cricket fans, Australian pace sensation Tayla Vlaeminck will be sidelined for the forthcoming Women’s Big Bash League (WBBL) due to an impending shoulder surgery.
The announcement was made by Cricket Australia on Friday, confirming that Vlaeminck underwent a surgical procedure aimed at stabilizing her left shoulder. The injury, stemming from a dislocation suffered during her spell for Australia A on the tour of England in July, has compelled her to miss her second consecutive WBBL season.
This injury has had cascading effects on Vlaeminck’s international appearances, causing her to be absent from the 2022 ODI World Cup, the 2022 Commonwealth Games, last year’s WBBL, and the 2023 T20 World Cup in South Africa. The young pacer’s absence has undoubtedly been felt on multiple fronts, as her blistering pace and accuracy make her a key asset for both domestic and international competitions.
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Recovery Timeline Uncertain; Cricket Australia Offers Support
Shawn Flegler, Cricket Australia’s head of performance for women’s cricket, expressed the organization’s disappointment at the news and praised Vlaeminck’s resilience in the face of repeated setbacks. Flegler acknowledged Vlaeminck’s efforts in securing her position on the Australia A tour and noted her determination in overcoming the hurdles presented by injuries.
Regrettably, there is no definitive timeline for Vlaeminck’s recovery at this point. While her absence will be evident during Australia’s hosting of the West Indies for three T20Is and three ODIs in October, her return to the international circuit is not anticipated until Australia’s tour of India in late December. The Indian tour will encompass an all-format series including a Test match, three ODIs, and three T20Is.
Cricket Victoria’s high-performance staff will work in tandem with Cricket Australia to facilitate Vlaeminck’s rehabilitation journey. The collaborative effort seeks to provide comprehensive support to the young athlete as she navigates her recovery and prepares to make her impactful return to the cricketing arena.
“We’re disappointed for Tayla, she has shown incredible resilience and perseverance throughout injury setbacks over the past few years and worked hard to earn her spot on the Australia A tour. We will continue to work collaboratively with Cricket Victoria’s high-performance staff to support Tayla over the course of her rehabilitation,” said Flegler as quoted by cricket.com.au.
