Fast bowler Tayla Vlaeminck has been ruled out of the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup with a stress injury in her right foot, with off-spinner Molly Strano approved as her replacement.
Vlaeminck reported pain in her foot, with scans revealing a stress response of the third metatarsal and signs of an early stress fracture of the navicular.
Vlaeminck, from Victoria, was Australia’s equal leading wicket-taker during the CommBank T20 Tri-Series with seven dismissals at an average of 9.00 and an economy rate of 5.25 from three matches.
Head coach Matthew Mott said the entire Australian squad was disappointed to lose Vlaeminck so close to the tournament, but was confident Strano would make a strong contribution to the group.
“Tayla has been in brilliant form of late and established herself as one of the premier fast bowlers in international cricket,” Mott said, “No one ever wants to see a player miss a major tournament in these kinds of circumstances, but I have no doubt she will bounce back from this setback and play a leading role in Australian squads for many years to come.
“We are fortunate to have great depth across Australian cricket and Molly enters the squad in great form having recently been named the domestic player of the year.”
Strano has played five T20Is for Australia having debuted in 2017 and comes into the side off the back of a strong domestic season that saw her finish as the leading wicket-taker in Rebel WBBL|05.
Australia open their ICC T20 World Cup campaign against India at the Sydney Showgrounds tomorrow from 7pm AEDT.
ICC Women’s T20 World Cup
February 21 – vs India, Sydney Showground (7pm AEDT)
February 24 – vs Sri Lanka, WACA Ground (6pm AEDT)
February 27 – vs Bangladesh, Manuka Oval (7pm AEDT)
March 2 – vs New Zealand, Junction Oval (3pm AEDT)
March 5 – Semi-Final 1, SCG (3pm AEDT)
March 5 – Semi-Final 2, SCG (7pm AEDT)
March 8 – Final, MCG (6pm AEDT)
