Tayla Vlaeminck is set to make her return to competitive cricket after 545 days on the sidelines, having been named in the Green squad for Cricket Australia’s three-day Green v Gold match in Sydney starting April 8. The Victoria fast bowler has not played since October 2024, when she suffered a dislocated shoulder just four deliveries into her lone appearance at the T20 World Cup. The injury extended an already challenging run with fitness setbacks and required a prolonged rehabilitation period that kept her out of the game for more than 16 months.
Now 27, Vlaeminck enters the Green v Gold contest at Bankstown Oval not with expectations of dominance, but with the quieter objective of simply returning to the field. The match, scheduled from April 8–10, is designed to give domestic players exposure to longer-format cricket, but for Vlaeminck it carries far deeper personal significance.
“I’m just counting down the days now. When you’re coming back from a long-term rehab, the rest of the body has to get used to training as well, so there’s been a few little hiccups here and there, which is pretty common and has been the whole way through my career.” Her words reflect a journey that has demanded patience as much as persistence, particularly for a fast bowler whose craft relies on rhythm, repetition, and physical durability. The process of returning has extended beyond healing the shoulder, requiring Vlaeminck to rebuild her entire body’s readiness for the rigours of elite cricket.
While her role in the match is expected to be managed carefully, there is a clear sense of relief in simply being close to competition again. After months confined largely to rehabilitation routines, she has been able to return to the nets and rediscover the routines that define a cricketer’s life. “I’m feeling really good now, and just loving being back out there in the nets and getting out of the gym, which has been really good. I haven’t played cricket in almost 16 months now, so just to get back out there, it’s just really exciting.”
The Green v Gold fixture, led by Charli Knott and Katie Mack, serves as a key platform within Australia’s domestic structure, offering players a chance to press their claims for higher honours. For Vlaeminck, however, performance is secondary to progress, with selectors likely to prioritise her long-term fitness over immediate impact.
Time away from the game has also reshaped her perspective, reinforcing both her competitive drive and her appreciation for simply being involved. Watching from the sidelines has been a prolonged challenge, but one that has sharpened her desire to return. “I’ve been watching cricket for a long time now, and the more you watch it, and the closer you get to playing, the more you realise how much you miss it.”
Vlaeminck’s return adds depth and experience to the Green squad and will be closely monitored by Cricket Australia as she works her way back into contention. If her recovery continues without setbacks, the match could serve as the first step towards re-establishing herself in higher levels of the game. For now, the focus remains on a cautious but significant comeback, as one of Australia’s quickest bowlers prepares to re-enter competitive cricket after an extended and demanding period away.
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