Tayla Vlaeminck named in Australia A squad for India tour

Tearaway pacer Tayla Vlaeminck will make her eagerly-awaited return to top-tier competitive cricket for the first time in nearly two years as she has been named in Australia A squad for a women's multi-format tour of India in September.

The 27-year-old sustained a shoulder injury during Australia's ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2024 match against Pakistan in Dubai on October 11 as she made a full-stretch dive to save a boundary after chasing the ball from short third. She winced in pain as Australia's physio rushed to her aid before helping her off the field.

Vlaeminck is highly prone to injuries, which is precisely the reason why she has only been able to play a total of just 29 games after making her international debut in a 50-over fixture against Pakistan in Kuala Lumpur on October 22, 2018. She was dropped from the national players' contract list due to her prolonged unavailability, but Cricket Australia still dedicated time for her, managing her return as carefully as possible.

Meanwhile, right-arm quick Darcie Brown, who was left out of the squad for the ICC Women's T20 World Cup 2026 due to the conditions in England, has also been named for the A tour of India.

"It's great to have Tayla back in the green and gold and to have Darcie back in action," National selector Shawn Flegler was quoted as saying by Cricinfo. "Both bring invaluable international experience to the group, and having them alongside some of our younger players provides a great opportunity for those emerging cricketers to learn from two world-class fast bowlers while continuing their own development."

The selectors have decided to split captaincy duties for the tour between Nicole Faltum (T20s), Tahlia Wilson (50-overs) and Rachel Trenaman (four-day match).

Australia A women's squad to tour India

Darcie Brown, Maitlan Brown, Nicole Faltum, Tess Flintoff, Sianna Ginger, Charli Knott, Anika Learoyd, Katie Mack, Lilly Mills, Frankie Nicklin, Hayley Silver-Holmes, Rachel Trenaman, Courtney Webb, Tahlia Wilson, Tayla Vlaeminck

Australia A women's tour of India 2026