Tayla Vlaeminck


Tayla Jade Vlaeminck is an Australian cricketer who plays as an all-rounder for Australia Women and Victoria Women, and is also a member of the Melbourne Renegades squad.

Early life

Vlaeminck was raised in Bendigo, where she played both cricket and soccer. After taking the field for the Northern Rivers region in the under-14 girls state cricket championships, she joined the Victorian Under-14 team. Before long, she was selected in the Under-18s. As a 15 year old, she came close to quitting cricket in favour of soccer, but was persuaded to keep playing.
In early 2015, Vlaeminck ruptured her anterior cruciate ligament. Just two matches after completing a full recovery and rehabilitation program, she suffered a second ACL injury, in the form of a partial tear. On advice from a surgeon, she kept playing for two months, including for the Victorian Under-18s, until the ACL ruptured again.

Professional career

While recovering from her second ACL rupture, Vlaeminck was signed by the Renegades for WBBL02. She ended up largely carrying drinks and soaking up the team atmosphere.
Prior to the 2017–18 WNCL season, Vlaeminck was selected for Victorian Spirit. In her WNCL debut, against the ACT Meteors at Manuka Oval in October 2017, she took the new ball; her 2-34 off seven overs included the wickets of Dane van Niekerk and Nicola Hancock. A month later, she played for the Cricket Australia XI in a tour match against England.
In late November 2017, Vlaeminck dislocated her shoulder playing another match for Victoria. That injury prevented her from playing for the Renegades in WBBL03. However, she then played well enough in two further matches for Victoria to be selected for the Australian Under-19 tour of South Africa in March 2018. A bout of glandular fever almost prevented her from joining that tour, but after a low key start, she captured 5-32 in 6.5 overs against South Africa in Pretoria. In the series final, also against South Africa, she took a match-winning 6-27 in 7.5 overs.
In September 2018, Vlaeminck was named in Australia's squad for the Women's Twenty20 International series against New Zealand, but she did not play. The following month, she was named in Australia's squad for the series against Pakistan and the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20. She made her Women's One Day International cricket debut for Australia Women against Pakistan Women on 22 October 2018. She made her Women's Twenty20 International cricket debut for Australia Women against India Women on 17 November 2018 in the 2018 ICC Women's World Twenty20.
In November 2018, she was named in the Melbourne Renegades' squad for the 2018–19 Women's Big Bash League season. In April 2019, Cricket Australia awarded her with a contract with the National Performance Squad ahead of the 2019–20 season. In June 2019, Cricket Australia named her in Australia's team for their tour to England to contest the Women's Ashes. She made her Test debut for Australia against England women on 18 July 2019. In January 2020, she was named in Australia's squad for the 2020 ICC Women's T20 World Cup in Australia. However, the following month, she was ruled out of the tournament, after suffering a stress injury of her right foot.
In April 2020, Cricket Australia awarded Vlaeminck with a central contract ahead of the 2020–21 season.

Personal life

Off the field, Vlaeminck has studied physiotherapy at LaTrobe University in Bundoora.