Tayla Vlaeminck made a promising return to competitive cricket this week but has been left off Cricket Australia’s 2026–27 central contract list as selectors prioritise consistent match fitness following her long injury layoff.
The 27-year-old fast bowler, who has endured a series of injury setbacks in recent years, played her first game in nearly 18 months during the ongoing Green v Gold red-ball fixture at the Bankston Oval. She made an immediate impact, dismissing Katie Mack in her second over and finishing with tidy figures, offering a reminder of the quality she brings when fit.
However, national selector Shawn Flegler explained that the decision to omit Vlaeminck from the contract list was based on her lack of recent match time rather than a reflection of her ability. “She’s obviously been injured for a few years now, we’ve kept her on contract, and we just came to the point where we thought it was better for her to go back and play some state cricket and WBBL,” Flegler said.
Vlaeminck has played 29 matches for Australia since her debut in 2018, taking 25 wickets across white-ball formats. While her pace has always been an asset, her career has been repeatedly interrupted by shoulder, knee and foot injuries, limiting her chances to establish continuity at the international level.
Selectors remain optimistic about her return, provided she can put together a consistent run of games. “Hopefully, she gets back into a full season of cricket and when she’s back playing, she’s going to be available for selection, no doubt,” Flegler added, reinforcing that she remains firmly in contention.
At the same time, the new contract list reflects a continued focus on developing younger players, including Chloe Ainsworth, who has earned her first national deal. The 20-year-old fast bowler is regarded as a long-term prospect, though her progress is currently being managed carefully due to a foot issue.
Flegler indicated that the priority for Ainsworth is building her physical resilience and ensuring she is capable of handling the demands of international cricket. “We’ll make sure that she continues to strengthen her body and gets into a position where she’s capable of getting through an international series,” he said.
He also noted that she is still developing and has yet to complete a full domestic or ‘A’ team campaign, which is an important step in her progression. “She hasn’t been able to do that with an ‘A’ series or even with a domestic season fully yet, so we want to keep working on that with her,” he added.
Beyond Vlaeminck and Ainsworth, Flegler briefly addressed the broader squad composition. Left-arm quick Lucy Hamilton has impressed in her early international appearances and is in contention for upcoming selections, including the T20 World Cup.
Meanwhile, allrounder Tess Flintoff who was also left out of the contract list, continues to be viewed as an international-quality player, with selectors keen to see greater consistency in her domestic performances.
Overall, the latest contract decisions underline Australia’s balanced approach—supporting experienced players returning from injury while gradually integrating emerging talent into the setup.
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