Tayla Vlaeminck out of WBBL season following latest injury setback

Fast-bowler Tayla Vlaeminck will miss a fourth consecutive season of the Women's Big Bash League (WBBL) as she continues her recovery from shoulder surgery and rehabilitation setbacks.

The 26-year-old Melbourne Renegades speedster had hoped to feature in this year's tournament, beggining her comeback from a dislocated right shoulder sustained during the 2024 ICC Women's T20 World Cup. However, medical staff say her rehabilitation has not progressed to a point that allows her to safely bowl at full pace or complete the end-stage return-to-play programme.

Australian Women's team physiotherapist Kate Beerworth explained: "Following a right shoulder injury that required reconstruction surgery, Tayla's recovery has been impacted by ongoing limitations, restricting her ability to progress her bowling and work through the end stages of her return to play plan."

Vlaeminck's run of misfortune extends beyond this latest injury: she previously missed the entire WBBL 09 season after left-shoulder surgery, and sat out WBBL 08 recovering from a navicular stress fracture in her right foot, the same injury that kept her out of the 2020 home T20 World Cup. Since February 2020 she has played just 21 state/Bash games and 13 internationals.

Renegades general manager James Rosengarten affirmed the club remains supportive of Vlaeminck's long-term recovery.

"Tayla has been a valued member of the squad... We knew there was a possibility she might not be available this season given what she had sustained, and there's been no pressure on her to rush that process. Her long-term health and readiness to perform at her best remain the priority," Rosengarten said.